An Integrated Management Approach for Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus Oliv. a Key Pest of Date Palm in the Middle East

Abstract

The date palm, Phoenix doctylifera L., is the most important fruit crop in the Middle East, cultivated since prehistoric times. Since mid-eighties the dreaded pest of palms viz. the red palm weevil. Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. has been reported to cause serious damage to date palm in certain pockets of the Gulf region. The pest subsequently spread to most of the date growing centers in the region and attained a key pest status. The unique agroclimatic conditions prevailing in the Middle East and the nature of the crop, coupled with transportation of planting material have helped in the rapid development and spread of the pest in a short period of about a decade Feeding of the soft tissues by this concealed borer often leads to the death of the palm. if timely curative measures are not adopted. However, taking up curative measures in the early stage of attack is often not possible as detection in infestation in the early stage is difficult. Moreover, the presence of neglected date gardens, beheaded palms, retention of unwanted off shoots etc. make the problem intricate. To tackle this problem from various angles and successfully combat the pest, the following Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme is suggested. The major components of the IPM strategy are surveillance, trapping the weevil using pheromones lures, detection of infestation by examining palms. Eliminating hidden breeding sites, clearing abandoned gardens, maintaining crop and field sanitation, preventive chemical treatments, curative chemical control implementing quarantine measures and training and education.

Plant cell wall degrading enzymes, pectinase and cellulase, in the digestive system of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…Because of the concealed nature of the larvae, effective methods for the management of RPW have been difficult to develop (Murphy & Briscoe 1999). Current methods recommended for the management of Rhynchophorus species have focused on integrated pest management (IPM) involving surveillance, pheromone lures, cultural control and chemical treatments (Abraham et al 1998). Modification of economically vital crops by the addition of insecticidal proteins is a potentially effective technique to control pests.…”

Assessment of risks and potential of injection techniques in integrated programs to eradicate the red palm weevil: review and new perspectives

“…It is also the consequence of a serious ignorance of the worldwide experience acquired in use of injection treatments against several pests and diseases of various palm species. Indeed, this controversy is not supported by the opinion of the majority of the international experts of this pest [86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93].…”

Sensory system in the wings red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

“…Known as the Asian palm weevil is one of the most destructive pests of coconut in South and Southeast Asia (Sadakathulla, 1991). The insect discovered in Saudi Arabia in the mid-1980 (Gush, 1977;Abraham et al, 1998;Faleiro et al 1999). Since then it has spread over most of the date palm areas (Bokhari andAbuzuhairah, 1992, Vidyasagar et al 2000).…”