Aggregation pheromone traps, a major component of IPM strategy for the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferruginous in date palms (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

• Published in: Journal of pest science Vol. 79; no. 2; pp. 69 - 73
• Main Authors: Abbas, MST, Hanounik, S B, Shahdad, A S, AI-Bagham, SA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2006
• Subjects: Curculionidae; Rhynchophorus ferrugineus; United Arab Emirates
• ISSN: 1612-4758
• DOI: 10.1007/s10340-005-0113-6

The population fluctuation of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus was studied, using the aggregation pheromone traps, during 2000 and 2001 in the United Arab Emirates. The insect population increased gradually from January to reach its peak in March, April, or May. The populations in three date palm plantations were much less in 2001 compared to 2000 with reductions of 29.7-51.7%. An evaluation of the performance of the pheromone traps showed that they could capture 4.4 to 20.7% of the resident populations of R. ferrugineus in the three different date palm plantations. No significant differences could be found in rates of capture between males and females. Individuals of marked weevils released in date palm plantations migrated 1-7 km from the plantations in which they were released. The released marked weevils were recaptured, mostly, within 3-5 days post release.