BIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON RED PALM WEEVIL, R hynchophorus ferrugineus (OLIVIER) REARED ON SEMI - ARTIFICIAL DIET IN EGYPT

Abstract

Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) was reared in the laboratory during 2011 under cooling incubator at 30 ±1Co. and 85±5% in the Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University,Egypt on semi-artificial diet (potato diet) , all developmental stages were recorded including female and male longevity as follows: The egg incubation period ranged from 2-4 days with a mean of 3 days and the percentage of hatchability was 88 %.The total larval period ranged from 45 to 55 days with an average of 50 days and percentage of mortality was 59 %.The pre-pupal period ranged from 4 to 7 days and averaged 6 days and percentage mortality was 66 % .The pupal stage ranged from 5 to 9 days and averaged 8 days and percentage of mortality was 69 %.Adult pre-emergence (remain inside cocoon) period ranged from 3-10 days with mean of 8 days and percentage mortality was 74%.The percent of adult emergence was 80% and the sex ratio percentage was 49.98 % .The male and female longevity were with mean of 40 and 68 days, respectively as the mean pre-oviposition period was 11days, the mean of oviposition period were 50 days and the mean postoviposition period was 7 days. The life cycle for female and male were 71.3 days. The mean number of deposited eggs (fecundity) was 170 eggs/female with fertility of 78.5 %. The generation duration ranged from 71 to 159 days about 115 days for males and ranged from 71 to 181 days 143 days for females.