To characterize red pigment‐producing bacteria (RPPB) regularly released during oviposition by red palm weevil (RPW), RPPB were recovered from eggs deposited in apples supplied as substrate for oviposition. The presence of RPPB was also detected from gut, the reproductive apparatus of dissected adult and virgin insects and from pupal cases collected within infested palms. RPPB were also identified all along the tissue of these palms. Analysis of the 16S rDNA, gyrB, rpoB, recA, and groEL sequences assigned RPPB to the species Serratia marcescens. RPPB exhibited an antimicrobial activity assessed by the agar well diffusion method against a number of gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. In this study, we first report the identification of a red pigment‐producing S. marcescens as extracellular symbiont of RPW. Route of transmission, detection within different organs, and a wide spread along the infested palm tissue, suggested S. marcescens is present as extracellular symbiont in different developmental stages of the RPW. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity exhibited versus Bacillus spp., Paenibacillus spp., and Lysinibacillus spp., reported as insect pathogens and potential candidates for biocontrol agents, could ascribe for S. marcescens a potential protective role.

Phoenix canariensis Chabaud (Canary Palm) is one of the most distinctive landscape elements of several coastal urban centers in Italy. However, over the past few years, international trade has increased the risk of the introduction of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Red Palm Weevil) in the country, causing the death of numerous plants. In this work we assessed the damage caused by the insect to Canary Palm in the City of Bari, Apulia Region, furnishing useful information to decision makers and communities for proper preservation measures in favor of this important urban-green resource. The findings shed light on effective and efficient spending strategies of public funds for urban green inside areas affected by the Red Palm Weevil, also based on cost-benefit approaches.

Sardaro, R., L. Roselli, R. Grittani, M. Scrascia, C. Pazzani, V. Russo, F. Garganese, C. Porfido, L. Diana and F. Porcelli. 2019. Community preferences for the preservation of Canary Palm from Red Palm Weevil in the city of Bari. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 37(2): 206-211.Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (red palm weevil) caused the death of 40% of Phoenix canariensis Chabaud (Canary palm) between 2011 and 2013 in the city of Bari. Extraordinary measures of compulsory pest control at EU and national level were applied, which however require public funds, hence proper cost-benefit studies, in order to favour better decision-making for urban green management. In this work, we investigated the preferences of the urban community towards specific measures for the preservation of Canary palm through a choice experiment. The results can be used to endorse the strategy in force and to shed light on effective and efficient prospective expenditures of public funds for areas affected by red palm weevil.

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