Experience with Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu eradication measures in Slovenia*

After causing damage in Asia and the USA, Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu recently established in Europe on Castanea. The first outbreak in Europe occurred at a C. sativa nursery for production of plants for planting in Cuneo (Piemonte, Italy) in 2002. The Piemonte official service notified Slovenia that a consignment originating from an infested nursery was sold to Slovenia. Prompt phytosanitary action was taken in Slovenia in 2005 in order to trace back plants from this consignment and prevent establishment of the pest. In the period 2006–2009, intensive surveys of forests and fruit production areas showed absence of the pest in the majority of the Slovenian territory, including the demarcated area from 2005. An earlier introduction of infested plants from Cuneo in January 2004 remained undiscovered until 2007. Despite the radical measure of eliminating the infested orchard and removing infested Castanea trees in the forest bordering this orchard, the pest was not eradicated in this outbreak area. Individual infested trees in the forest were confirmed at a distance of up to 10–34 km in 2008, and a further 15 km in 2009. The results of annual surveys, eradication campaigns based on generic contingency elements and the change of strategy after the finding of infested forests are presented.     

First report of the palm borer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paysandisia archon</Emphasis> (Burmeister 1880) (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) in Cyprus

In October 2008 an insect palm borer was found for the first time on the island of Cyprus, in the Paphos district, on palms of Chamaerops humilis and Washingtonia filifera. By December 2008 the species was found on isolated palm plants of Phoenix roebelenii. The species was identified as the palm borer Paysandisia archon (Burmeister 1880) at the Agricultural Research Institute, Nicosia. Infested palm trunks and leaves were bored by the Paysandisia larvae. Bored trunk and crown were covered with plugs of debris.     

Current status of red palm weevil in Turkey

The red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) is the most serious pest of palms in Turkey. Weevil infestation was first detected in Turkey in summer 2005 in parks and gardens of Mersin province, along the Mediterreanean coast of Turkey. Following the discovery of the pest, destruction of infested plant material, prophylactic insecticide chemical treatments, as well as adult weevil trapping were carried out on palm plantations. Traps containing a commercial aggregation pheromone were hung on palm trees at a high density, in order to monitor the pest infestation and reduce the weevil population by mass trapping. A significant decrease in the number of trapped beetles and destruction of infested plant material was observed in 2009 and continued in the following years in several cities in Turkey. Therefore, it has been observed that mass trapping and curative pesticide applications have played a significant role in the suppression of R. ferrugineus populations in palm plantations.     

Can increasing infestations by Rhynchophorus ferrugineus threaten endemic Chamaerops humilis in Sardinia (Italy)?

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is the most devastating pest of the Canary palm, Phoenix canariensis, in the Mediterranean Basin. Sporadic infestations have also been observed in other cultivated palm species and, above all, in the endemic European fan palm, Chamaerops humilis. Considering the high ecological importance of C. humilis in coastal ecosystems, the present paper gives an update on the status of R. ferrugineus infestations on the European fan palm in Sardinia (Italy). Since the introduction of R. ferrugineus into Sardinia, attacks of this pest on C. humilis have been limited but have increased in the last 2 years, including infestations on eight naturally growing palms in a Natura 2000 site. Male and female red palm weevils that emerged from C. humilis were similar in size to those of P. canariensis, indicating that the quality of these two feeding substrates is similar. The limited number of infested European fan palms observed so far suggests caution when predicting a rapid spread of this pest in cultivated and non‐cultivated C. humilis palms. Nonetheless, natural populations of C. humilis along western Mediterranean shores should be monitored in order to highlight the potential establishment of R. ferrugineus in these habitats.     

Fireblight situation in Bulgaria and measures undertaken by the NPPO1

Fireblight disease, caused by Erwinia amylovora was first detected in Bulgaria on quince in the region of Plovdiv in 1989. The disease was initially localized in that area but, during 1995/1997, due to favourable climate conditions, it became epidemic. Infected trees were grubbed out and destroyed. The main hosts are quince and pear (over 40% of affected trees), then apple, medlar and Cotoneaster. Containment measures undertaken by the Bulgarian NPPO are laid down in the Plant Protection Law, in Phytosanitary Regulation no. 1 for phytosanitary control, and in Phytosanitary Regulation no. 5 of 1996 (amended 1997) for containment of fireblight. Phytosanitary control is mainly focused on fruit‐tree nurseries and on the distribution of healthy plants for planting. In 2003, 41 protected zones and 29 protected sectors within infested areas have been established.     

Current status of red palm weevil infestation in date palm plantations in Israel

The red palm weevilRhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (RPW) is the most serious pest of date palms in the Middle East. Weevil infestation was first detected in Israel in the summer of 1999 in date plantations in the Jordan Valley, on the west bank of the Jordan River and in the northern area of the Dead Sea. For 2 years following the discovery of the pest, prophylactic insecticide chemical treatments as well as adult weevil trapping were carried out over 450 ha of date palm plantations. Traps loaded with a commercial aggregation pheromone, ferrugineol, supplemented with ethyl acetate and a fermenting mixture of dates and sugarcane molasses, were posted in high trap density (approx. ten traps per ha) in order to monitor weevil infestation and reduce the RPW population by mass trapping. A significant decrease in number of trapped beetles and infested trees was observed in 2001 and continued in the following years. No infested trees have been found since 2002, indicating a decrease in RPW population. The sex ratio of trapped adults during 3 years of study was significantly female-biased (∼2.5:1). Therefore, mass trapping might have played a significant role in the suppression of RPW populations in date plantations. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2004.     

First report of the nipa palm hispid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Octodonta nipae</Emphasis> on queen palms in Cyprus

In December 2009, numerous adults and larvae of the nipa palm hispid Octodonta nipae (Maulik) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) were found for the first time on the island of Cyprus, in unopened young leaves of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman palm species. All infested palms of this species evinced serious decline with all young leaves showing signs of attack, but the beetles and larvae themselves were found only in fronds from the central shoot.     

Microwave treatment for pest control: the case of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Phoenix canariensis

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (red palm weevil) is currently one of the major threats to palms in the Mediterranean area. No single technique developed up to now seems able to completely eradicate this pest. This paper introduces microwave treatment as an effective tool to help the control of this insect; the effect of microwave radiation on palm tissues and on the curculionid is described and discussed. The main advantage of microwaves is their eco‐compatibility, and preliminary results of their application to Rhynchophorus ferrugineus control are very promising.     

Recommendations for a preventive strategy to control red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus,Olivier) based on the use of insecticides and entomopathogenic nematodes

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), has been present in Andalusia since 1993 although its major expansion began in 2005. Currently, the implementation of an action protocol against the red palm weevil based on curative and preventive treatments has a high cost. The aim of this work is to establish a minimum frequency between preventive treatments that would reduce costs. Three frequencies of application were evaluated (at 45, 60 and 90 days).The results show that preventive treatments can decrease the reproductive potential of the pest, but do not prevent the infestation of palm trees. Preventive treatments every 60 days effectively reduce costs and increase the survival of the palm trees.     

Laboratory and field evaluation of the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic nematodes to the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliv.) (Col.: Curculionidae)

Ten Egyptian and imported entomopathogenic nematodes were evaluated for their pathogenicity to R. ferrugineus in both the laboratory and the field. In the laboratory, most nematodes were pathogenic to the pest larvae, pupae and adults. Larvae and adults were more susceptible to nematode infection (mostly 100% mortality) than pupae enclosed in their cocoons. In the field however, the highest insect larval mortality was 66.67% and most of nematodes failed in controlling the pest. Such failure could be due to hot weather, the tunnelling behaviour of the pest larvae and the too much sap in the infested sites in the trunks of palm trees.     

Laboratory and field evaluation of the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic nematodes to the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliv.) (Col.: Curculionidae)

Ten Egyptian and imported entomopathogenic nematodes were evaluated for their pathogenicity to R. ferrugineus in both the laboratory and the field. In the laboratory, most nematodes were pathogenic to the pest larvae, pupae and adults. Larvae and adults were more susceptible to nematode infection (mostly 100% mortality) than pupae enclosed in their cocoons. In the field however, the highest insect larval mortality was 66.67% and most of nematodes failed in controlling the pest. Such failure could be due to hot weather, the tunnelling behaviour of the pest larvae and the too much sap in the infested sites in the trunks of palm trees.     

Experience with fireblight in the Czech Republic1

Erwinia amylovora has been spreading in the Czech Republic since 1986 regardless of emergency phytosanitary measures which have been taken. Its spread follows the predominant wind direction (west to east). The infested area now covers two thirds of the area of the country. Wild Crataegus spp. are the most important and widespread host plants. E. amylovora is still regulated as a quarantine pest, and areas free from fireblight are subject to special phytosanitary measures.     

Host plant recognition by two odorant-binding proteins in Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

BACKGROUND

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, the red palm weevil (RPW), is a key pest that attacks many economically important palm species and that has evolved a sensitive and specific olfactory system to seek palm hosts. Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) not only play crucial roles in its olfactory perception process but are also important molecular targets for the development of new approaches for pest management.

RESULTS

Analysis of the tissue expression profiles of RferOBP8 and RferOBP11 revealed that these two Rhynchophorus ferrugineus odorant binding proteins (RferOBPs) exhibited high expression in the antennae and showed sexual dimorphism. We analyzed the volatiles of seven host plants by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and screened 13 potential ligands by molecular docking. The binding affinity of two recombinant OBPs to aggregation pheromones and 13 palm odorants was tested by fluorescence competitive binding assays. The results revealed that eight tested palm volatiles and ferrugineol have high binding affinities with RferOBP8 or RferOBP11. Behavioral trials showed that these eight odor compounds could elicit an attraction response in adult RPW. RNA interference analysis indicated that the reduction in the expression levels of the two RferOBPs led to a decrease in behavioral responses to these volatiles.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that RferOBP8 and RferOBP11 are involved in mediating the responses of RPW to palm volatiles and to aggregation pheromones and may play important roles in RPW host-seeking. This study also provides a theoretical foundation for the promising application of novel molecular targets in the development of new behavioral interference strategies for RPW management in the future. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Field efficacy of imidacloprid and Steinernema carpocapsae in a chitosan formulation against the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Phoenix canariensis

BACKGROUND: The invasive red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), has become the major pest of palms in the Mediterranean Basin. Chemical control against this species is difficult because of its cryptic habits and is mainly based on the repeated application of large quantities of synthetic insecticides. The aim of this work has been to evaluate in the field the efficacy of imidacloprid (Confidor^® 240 OD) and Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser with chitosan (Biorend R^® Palmeras) as soil and stipe treatments respectively, alone or in combination, against this pest. RESULTS: All treatments significantly reduced the mean number of immature stages of R. ferrugineus per palm. However, there were no significant differences among the different treatments considered. Efficacies ranged from 83.8 to 99.7% for the mean number of immature stages found in the palms and resulted in a significant increase in palm survival compared with the untreated control (75.0–90.0% versus 16.5% respectively). CONCLUSION: Both imidacloprid and S. carpocapsae in a chitosan formulation proved highly effective against R. ferrugineus in the field, and their efficacies did not significantly change when used in combination. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), an invasive pest recently found in the Caribbean that threatens the region

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, an important palm pest, was accidentally introduced into the Caribbean. A monitoring programme was established to determine the population level and distribution of infestations on Aruba and Curacao through the use of commercially available pheromone traps. Due to the small size of the islands and limited distribution of palms, eradication may be feasible using a combination of trapping, timely disposal of infested palms and curative and prophylactic chemical treatments. These studies on the pest in the Caribbean were used to help design a USDA plant health emergency response through the development of Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine New Pest Response Guidelines and provide an effective emergency response programme for other Caribbean Islands and the Americas.     

Bark beetle (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) outbreak and system of IPM measures in an area affected by intensive forest decline connected with honey fungus (Armillaria sp.)

The character of a bark beetle outbreak, planning system, and implementation of IPM measures in a forest affected by intensive decline connected with honey fungus (Armillaria sp.) is described. It is possible to distinguish two levels of outbreak in the study area. The first level is characterized by spruce mortality connected with yellowing of spruce and presence of plant pathogens, mostly Armillaria sp. Forest stands have disperse infestations of bark beetles. Identification of infested trees and salvage cutting in time are problematic. In case of late processing of infested trees, the second level of outbreak could become manifest. The populations of bark beetle increase. Beetles could attack relatively healthy trees. The classical outbreak with forest edges and spot infestations starts. The identification of infested trees is easier. The application of pheromone trap barriers is effective. Thus, the second level of outbreak could be easily managed. The planning of IPM measures is concerned with localization of various pheromone trap systems in particular forest stands. It is based on field survey, data acquisition, estimation of swarming bark beetle population, and information of pheromone system effectiveness.     

Bark beetle (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) outbreak and system of IPM measures in an area affected by intensive forest decline connected with honey fungus (Armillaria sp.)

The character of a bark beetle outbreak, planning system, and implementation of IPM measures in a forest affected by intensive decline connected with honey fungus (Armillaria sp.) is described. It is possible to distinguish two levels of outbreak in the study area. The first level is characterized by spruce mortality connected with yellowing of spruce and presence of plant pathogens, mostly Armillaria sp. Forest stands have disperse infestations of bark beetles. Identification of infested trees and salvage cutting in time are problematic. In case of late processing of infested trees, the second level of outbreak could become manifest. The populations of bark beetle increase. Beetles could attack relatively healthy trees. The classical outbreak with forest edges and spot infestations starts. The identification of infested trees is easier. The application of pheromone trap barriers is effective. Thus, the second level of outbreak could be easily managed. The planning of IPM measures is concerned with localization of various pheromone trap systems in particular forest stands. It is based on field survey, data acquisition, estimation of swarming bark beetle population, and information of pheromone system effectiveness.     

Evaluation of an oil dispersion formulation of imidacloprid as a drench against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in young palm trees

BACKGROUND: The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), is a phytophagous insect that feeds on soft succulent tissues of most palm species and is considered the main palm pest in the Middle East and the Mediterranean Basin. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of imidacloprid oil dispersion (OD) as a drench in preventive and curative treatments against R. ferrugineus in Phoenix canariensis, Washingtonia robusta, Washingtonia filifera and Trachycarpus fortunei. RESULTS: Levels of infestation were highest in P. canariensis. There was no infestation in W. filifera. Mean efficacies of 100 and 94% were obtained in preventive and curative treatments respectively. High efficacies in preventive treatments (mean 95.4%) lasted for up to 45 days after application. CONCLUSION: The high efficacies and persistence of imidacloprid OD applied as a drench in young palms show the potential of this product for the management of R. ferrugineus. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Isolation of heterorhabditid nematodes from palm tree planted areas and their implications in the Red Palm Weevil control

Soil samples from 102 sites planted with intercropped palm trees in 8 Egyptian governorates were baited with greater wax moth larvae for the recovery of entomopathogenic nematodes. Only heterorhabditied nematodes were extracted from 5 sites in Alexandria, Behaira, Ismaelia, and Giza governorates. Evaluation of the novel isolates in the laboratory to identify the most efficient ones for biological control of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliv.) showed that they are generally more virulent than other entomopathogenic nematode species. However, only two of the 5 strains, isolated from Behaira and Giza, survived a 24h exposure period in palm weevil-infested tree tissue with a low viability of 19 and 14%, respectively.