Microwave heating: a promising and eco-compatible solution to fight the spread of red palm weevil

Abstract

The red palm weevil is one of the major pests of palms. Until now no effective and economic method has been adopted for the total eradication of this pest and some concerns are raised for chemical methods, mainly in ornamental plants located in urban areas. Among the proposed techniques, a very promising and eco-compatible solution is the palm microwave heating, which could be integrated in a IPM approach. Advantages of microwave disinfestation include speed, efficiency and the absence of toxic, hazardous or polluting residues. Moreover, insects are not likely to develop a resistance to radiation as they often do to chemical insecticides. This work aims to resume our results on the feasibility of microwave applications on infested Phoenix canariensis palms. Temperatures that can be lethal to insects applied on the external layers do not affect the internal palm tissues. Moreover, microwaves can influence the ability of reproduction of the survived weevils. Once the physical/thermal parameters of the tissues were determined, a protocol of duration of time and schedule (on-off cycles) was developed for a better control of the temperature profile inside the palm. In this way, the lethal temperature dose for the insects was applied using a ring microwave applicator.

Omics in the Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): A Bridge to the Pest

“…Recently, microwave radio frequencies were also investigated as a potential method for controlling weevil infestations. This method was shown to result in high weevil mortality, as well as lower fertility of the surviving weevils [ 38 , 39 ].…”

A Review of Entomopathogenic Nematodes as a Biological Control Agent for Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…Additionally, microwave heating treatment is another approach used to combat pest issues, such as R. ferrugineus infestation, without causing any significant harm to the host plant [ 64 , 65 , 66 ]. Microwave radiation causes hyperthermia in R. ferrugineus adults and larvae.…”

Numerical Assessment of Red Palm Weevil Detection Mechanism in Palm Trees Using CSRR Microwave Sensors

“…Different methodologies for RPW pest control and management have been developed, including but not limited to the use of physical principles of X-ray radiation [6], microwave thermal heating [7][8][9], acoustic waves and applications of signal processing [10][11][12], use of infrared thermal imaging [13,14], remote sensing imagery analysis [15,16], and the internet of things for continuous monitoring of palm trees [17]. The use of x-ray and gamma-radiation was applied in [6] in a controlled laboratory environment.…”