Lower temperature thresholds for oviposition and egg hatching of the Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in a Mediterranean climate

Abstract

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an economically important pest of palms worldwide. To better understand the phenology of R. ferrugineus populations in the Mediterranean basin, the objective of the present work has been to estimate the effect of temperatures within the range 10-25°C on the reproductive parameters of R. ferrugineus and to determine its lower temperature thresholds for oviposition and egg hatching. Our results confirm that oviposition in R. ferrugineus is strongly affected by temperature. Lower thresholds for oviposition and egg hatching (15.45°and 13.95°C, respectively) are below the mean monthly temperatures registered in winter in most of the northern shore of the Mediterranean basin. Under these circumstances, new palm infestations would be difficult during most of the winter. These results should be taken into account when planning some palm management practices, such as pruning or pesticide treatments, in areas under a Mediterranean climate.

Mobility and efficacy of abamectin and imidacloprid againstRhynchophorus ferrugineusinPhoenix canariensisby different application methods

“…Recommendations on the number of applications and doses should probably take into account the size of the palms as well as the bioecology of this pest. In the Northern Mediterranean Basin, oviposition and egg hatching periods extend from early April to mid‐October/early November and from mid‐March to mid/late October respectively . Therefore, palms should be protected for about 7 months per season.…”

“…In the Northern Mediterranean Basin, oviposition and egg hatching periods extend from early April to mid-October/early November and from mid-March to mid/late October respectively. 42 Therefore, palms should be protected for about 7 months per season. As the effect of winter temperatures on the population dynamics of R. ferrugineus could be a synchronisation of the whole population, 41,48 a spray treatment targeting newly emerged adults in late March/early April could be followed by a stipe injection in mid/late April.…”

Demographic comparison and population projection of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) reared on sugarcane at different temperatures

“…Similarly, Zhao and Ju29 reported a survival rate for the generation of R. ferrugineus of only 10.0% at 19 °C. However, there are some contradictory data from other studies: Dembilio & Jacas5 and Dembilio et al 12 found that the threshold temperature for egg hatching was less than 14 °C on apple slices. These apparently contradictory differences may be attributable to geographical conditions, host plants, or other factors2630.…”

“…To date, the thermal requirements and the lower temperature thresholds for development, oviposition, and egg hatching in R. ferrugineus have been described512 along with effects on emergence13 and population growth14. However, there is limited information on how temperature affects population demographics and age- and stage-specific traits, which are important for metamorphic insects15.…”

Behaviour-modifying compounds for management of the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineusOliver)

“…Golden Delicious, 1.00 ± 0.10 cm thick, surface 14.15 ± 1.00 cm 2 ) were placed as substrate for female feeding and oviposition. Apples were chosen as the substrate because accurate detection of feeding holes or eggs in natural substrate (palm tissue) is not possible, and weevils readily feed and oviposit on apples . One of the apple slice substrates was treated by applying the test chemical at the centre of the substrate using a glass syringe for gas chromatography (Hamilton®), while the other substrate was left untreated.…”