Abstract
Aim of study: To evaluate the susceptibility of the Rhynchophorus ferrugineus to electric discharges, to eventually use this application in synergy with other methods as part of an integrated control strategy.Area of study: Worldwide.Material and methods: Three different electric voltage intensities were applied to R. ferrugineus to investigate the insect’s susceptibility in both adult and larval stages. The transmission and diffusion of electricity within a portion of the palm tree was tested. In addition, the suitability of containment materials for handling and transportation of plant residues was tested.Main results: The results of adult test showed that the total number of eggs laid per mating couple and the number of larvae born were about 1.5 times higher in the control compared to the electrified samples. The duration of the electric discharge on larvae had a small impact on the mortality rate, while the electric voltage showed a strong impact on mortality (87% for 10 V and 99% for 15 V). The presence of a significant electric current was observed in a viable portion of stem (distance from the source of electricity 10 cm) providing a direct current with 250 V tension. Among the materials tested for the transportation of palm residues, the aluminium net sheet showed the best results in the containment of both larval and adult individuals.Research highlights: Electrocution has proven to be a system which can help in the control of red palm weevil reducing the use of synthetic chemicals.
Highlights
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera, Dryophthoridae), known as red palm weevil (RPW), is an oligophagous invasive weevil pest, affecting more than 20 species of palms in the family Arecaceae (Murphy & Briscoe, 1999)
Since 2015, RPW is on the A2 European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO, 2015) list for quarantine pests, being a major pest of coconut, oil palm, sago palm and date palm
In the Mediterranean Basin and in the Middle East it is destructive for Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud. (Giblin-Davis et al, 2013; Sardaro et al, 2018)
Summary
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera, Dryophthoridae), known as red palm weevil (RPW), is an oligophagous invasive weevil pest, affecting more than 20 species of palms in the family Arecaceae (Murphy & Briscoe, 1999). Native to South-Eastern tropical Asia, due to global trade, in recent years R. ferrugineus has become the most destructive pest of palm trees in the world. The spread of RPW in the newly colonized environments can endanger many species of palm tree, with a risk of extinction at least in urban centres (Manachini et al, 2012; Sardaro et al, 2018). The newly emerged larvae feed on the surrounding tissue, burrowing tunnels in the tissues that first weaken the crown and the trunk of the trees (Wattanapongsiri, 1966; Murphey & Briscoe, 1999; Kaakeh et al, 2001). In a severely infested palm tree, the stem or crown sometimes break off from the tree (Abraham et al, 1998)
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