Articles

PHEROMONE BAITED TRAP FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF RED PALM WEEVIL, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus F. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) POPULATION IN COCONUT PLANTATIONS

Authors:

Abstract

4-methyl-5-nonanol (ferrugineol), the major component of the
aggregation pheromone of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus F. was evaluated as a
lure for trapping of this pest in coconut plantations in Sri Lanka. Trap design,
longevity of ferrugineol in field conditions, and the effect of trapping on
damage incidence of R. ferrugineus were studied. N-pentanol, a known
compound present in coconut stem volatiles was used in combination of
ferrugineol in all tested traps. Trap designs tested were; an open plastic
bucket, a funnel trap, and a modified metal trap. The open plastic bucket (5 L)
baited with ferrugineol-pentanol, which was hung on coconut palm stem at 1.5
m, caught significantly more number of adult weevils than ferrugineolpentanol
baited funnel and metal traps. An open plastic bucket trap was six
times less expensive than the metal trap currently recommended by the
Coconut Research Institute, Sri Lanka. Ferrugineol remained effective as a
bait for 12 weeks under field conditions. High capture rates of adult R.
ferrugineus were obtained in ferrugineol baited open bucket traps in
plantations where the initial damage incidence was high. Monthly surveys of
individual palms during pheromone trapping revealed that a sharp reduction
of the number of coconut palms damaged by R. ferrugineus in 10-hectare
experimental blocks. Continuous trapping of weevils with ferrugineol over a
period of time significantly lowered the infestation of this pest.
  • Year: 1999
  • Volume: 13
  • Page/Article: 54 - 65
  • DOI: 10.4038/cocos.v13i0.2177
  • Published on 11 Aug 2010
  • Peer Reviewed