Pheromone trap density to mass trap Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae/Rhynchophoridae/Dryophthoridae) in date plantations of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Mass trapping of red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) using food-baited pheromone (ferrugineol) traps is a key component of the integrated pest management strategy adopted to combat this pest in date Phoenix dactylifera L. plantations of Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. The present study aimed at ascertaining the density at which pheromone traps should be set in the field to mass trap adult R. ferrugineus. Our findings indicate that in plantations with low weevil activity and 1%, 10 traps/ha recorded the best weevil captures. However, in area-wide mass trapping programmes, the pest could be effectively mass trapped at 4–7 traps/ha depending on the resources available.