Factors Influencing the Mobility of Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) Adults

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Factors Influencing the Mobility of Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) Adults Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Agronòmica i del Medi Natural Factors influencing the mobility of Red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) adults DOCTORAL THESIS Presented by: Juan Antonio Ávalos Masó Directed by: Dr. Antonia Soto Sánchez Valencia, November 2015 Als meus pares, per fer de mi qui sóc... SOBRE LA FORQUILLA (Sueca, 14 de Juliol de 1963) També la forquilla forma part de la civilització, no cal dir-ho: és exactament, i per qualificar-la amb paraules tòpiques, una vertadera «conquesta de la civilització». I de les importants. No exagero. En general, quan de «civilització» es tracta, els especialistes tendeixen a referir-se a una altra mena de coses: al Partenó, a Sòcrates, a la física nuclear, a les novel·les de Proust, a l’aspirina, a la lògica matemàtica, a Albinoni, al Mantegna, al «telstar». Em sembla molt bé. No hi ha dubte que les supremes creacions de les arts, de la ciència i del pensament són altament representatives de l’esforç humà al llarg de la història. I tant com ho són! Però també s’ha de tenir en compte que en el nivell, més humil, de la vida quotidiana i de l’home comú, es produeixen «superacions» no gens espectaculars i que, per la seva índole i pel seu arrelament, constitueixen guanys ben significatius. Ningú no discutirà el valor de les aportacions d’un filòsof, d’un biòleg, d’un astrònom, d’un poeta, d’un pintor—d’un «geni» qualsevol. Ara: les seves seran sempre aportacions excepcionals. La societat en viu, naturalment, i la nostra gratitud no ha de faltar-los, als qui ens les proporcionen. Això no obstant, també el «progrés» s’acompleix en la modèstia de les accions diàries de la gent, i potser s’hi acompleix amb l’única i més autèntica eficàcia. Perquè en convertir-se en hàbit regular i multitudinari, és quan allò que anomenem «civilització» obté un primer aval raonable: la convalidació pragmàtica a escala decisiva. Tal és el cas de la forquilla. Joan Fuster i Ortells (Sueca, 1922-1992) “Causar-se d’esperar” Agraïments En primer lloc agrair-li a Toñi, la meua directora de tesi, el haver-me donat l’oportunitat de portar endavant aquesta tesi i haver-me transmès eixa vitalitat que tant la caracteritza a l’hora de treballar. Sens dubte l’agraïment més gran és per a tota la meua família! Els meus pares, que m’han ajudat a ser la persona que sóc avui en dia i sense l’ajuda moral i per suposat econòmica dels quals no haguera pogut arribar fins ací. Com no, també he de donar les gràcies als meus germans Salva i David o com els anomenem a casa “la bessonà”, perquè sense ells la vida seria massa avorrida... També a la meua tia Carol i al meu cosí Carlos, perquè formen part molt important del meu cor. No deixaré mai d’enrecordar-me del meu iaio Salvador, a qui li haguera encantat poder llegir i discutir sobre aquest tema, i també a la meua iaia Encarna i als meus “uelos” Gloria i Juan Antonio, als que també trobe molt a faltar. I prou amb la família que si no em fique sentimental! Agrair a tots aquells que m’han ajudat a portar a terme alguns dels assajos d’aquesta tesi: Inyaki Moratal per “connectar-ho tot com tocava”, Anna Comes per la seua paciència amb els errors informàtics del molinet de vol, Carlos Sanjosé pels suports per al molinet que es va currar, Martí García (Aigües Sueca), Mara Borràs (Algeplant S.A.), Lola Ortega (Phytoma) i Jose Juan López (Tragsa S.A.). Vull agrair especialment als integrants del grup d’entomologia de l’IAM tot el que m’heu ajudat quan vos ho he demanat i també els moments de rises que hem passat junts: Alejandro, Alex, Altea, Amparo, Cristina, Eva, Juan, Tolis i Vicky. Mai no oblidaré aquells congressos on tant hem aprés i alhora disfrutat, amb menció especial per a “celles de pòni”. Agrair també als professors Ferran García-Marí, Paco Ferragut i Gabriella Lo Verde, a les tècnics Carmen (D.E.P.) i Paloma, i a la secretaria Carmela, per l’ajuda prestada. Tampoc m’oblide de la resta de companys de l’IAM, Carlos, Roberto, Natalia, Amparo, Carmina, Manolo, David, Mercedes, etc. amb els que he compartit tants moments de tertúlia a la nostra particular “taula rodona”. Com no, un agraïment gegant per als meus amics “Guitarroneros” i de “Melrose”, perquè som una gran família i perquè han sabut aguantar tots els rollos que els he contat alguna que altra vegada sobre aquest escarabat i els seus efectes. Per al final deixe un dels agraïments més importants... per al meu bitxet Salut! perquè tot i que el tema no va amb ella, ha mostrat un gran interès i preocupació i ha sigut la persona que en els moments crítics d’execució d’aquesta tesi m’ha donat ànims i m’ha fet vore les coses des d’altre punt de vista... A més de les il·lustracions tan boniques que s’ha currat per a donar-li un toc artístic a la tesi!! En definitiva GRÀCIES perquè aquesta tesi m’ha fet créixer i maurar! Table of contents Table of contents Resum .................................................................................................................. i Resumen ............................................................................................................. v Abstract ............................................................................................................. ix Chapter 1. Introduction .................................................................................. 1 1.1. The Arecaceae family ................................................................................... 3 1.1.1. General characteristics ......................................................................... 3 1.1.2. Uses and economic importance ............................................................ 3 1.1.3. Major diseases and pests ...................................................................... 3 1.2. The Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus ..................................... 4 1.2.1. Systematic classification ...................................................................... 4 1.2.2. Origin, distribution, and economic importance .................................... 5 1.2.3. Host plants ............................................................................................ 7 1.2.4. Life cycle, morphology and bio-ecology .............................................. 8 1.2.5. Number of generations and rate of multiplication .............................. 12 1.2.6. Damage and symptomatology ............................................................ 12 1.2.7. Management ....................................................................................... 13 1.3. Ecology and behaviour of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus ............................. 16 1.3.1. Potential worldwide distribution ........................................................ 16 1.3.2. Distribution of developmental instars inside infested palm trees ....... 17 1.3.3. Seasonal and diurnal activity .............................................................. 18 1.3.4. Locomotion, dispersal, and spatial distribution .................................. 19 1.3.5. Chemical ecology and olfactory behaviour ........................................ 19 1.3.6. Visual attraction ................................................................................. 20 Chapter 2. Rationale and Objectives .......................................................... 21 Chapter 3. Study of chromatic preference of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) adults using bucket traps ............................ 25 Table of contents 3.1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 28 3.2. Materials and methods ................................................................................ 30 3.2.1. Trap characteristics ............................................................................ 30 3.2.2. Test with olfactory attractants ............................................................ 30 3.2.3. Test without olfactory attractants ....................................................... 31 3.2.4. Spectral reflectance ............................................................................ 31 3.2.5. Female/male ratio of natural populations ........................................... 32 3.2.6. Statistical analysis .............................................................................. 32 3.3. Results ........................................................................................................ 33 3.3.1. Test with olfactory attractants ............................................................ 33 3.3.2. Internal trap climatic conditions ......................................................... 34 3.3.3. Test without olfactory attractants ....................................................... 34 3.3.4. Female/male ratio ............................................................................... 35 3.3.5. Spectral reflectance ............................................................................ 36 3.4. Discussion and conclusions ........................................................................ 37 3.5. Acknowledgements .................................................................................... 39 Chapter 4. Study of the flying ability of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) adults using a computer-monitored flight mill ........................................................................................................................... 41 4.1. Introduction ...............................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Bulletin Number / Numéro 1 Entomological Society of Canada March / Mars 2011 Société D’Entomologie Du Canada
    ............................................................ ............................................................ Volume 43 Bulletin Number / numéro 1 Entomological Society of Canada March / mars 2011 Société d’entomologie du Canada Published quarterly by the Entomological Society of Canada Publication trimestrielle par la Société d’entomologie du Canada ........................................................ .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................... .................................................................................. ............................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................... List of contents / Table des matières Volume 43(1), March / mars 2011 Up front / Avant-propos ..............................................................................................................1 Moth balls / Boules à mites ............................................................................................................3 Dear Buggy / Cher Bibitte ...............................................................................................................6
    [Show full text]
  • Амурский Зоологический Журнал II(3), 2010. 191-244 УДК 595.768.2 © Amurian Zoological Journal II(3), 2010
    © Амурский зоологический журнал II(3), 2010. 191-244 УДК 595.768.2 © Amurian zoological journal II(3), 2010. 191-244 ANNOTATED CATALOGUE OF CURCULIONID-BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: ANTHRIBIDAE, RHYNCHITIDAE, ATTELABIDAE, BRENTIDAE, BRACHYCERIDAE, DRYOPHTHORIDAE AND CURCULIONIDAE) OF IRAN A.A. Legalov1, H. Ghahari2, Yu.G. Arzanov3 [Легалов А.А., Гхари Г., Арзанов Ю.Г. Аннотированный каталог жуков надсемейства Curculionoidea (Coleoptera: Anthribidae, Rhynchitidae, Attelabidae, Brentidae, Brachyceridae, Dryophthoridae and Curculionidae) Ирана] 1Institute of Animal Systematics and Ecology, Siberian Zoological Museum, Frunze street, 11, 630091, Novosibirsk, Russia. E-mail: [email protected] 1Институт систематики и экологии животных СО РАН, Сибирский зоологический музей, Фрунзе, 11, 630091, Новосибирск, Россия. E-mail: [email protected] 2Department of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Shahre Rey Branch, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: [email protected] 2Отдел сельского хозяйства, Исламский университет Азад, отделение Шахр-рей, Тегеран, Иран. E-mail: [email protected] 3South Scientific Centre of RAS, Chekhov str., 41, 344006, Rostov-on-Don, Russia. E-mail: [email protected] 3Южный научный центр РАН, ул. Чехова, 41, 344006, Ростов-на-Дону, Россия. E-mail: [email protected] Key words: curculionid-beetles, Coleoptera, Curculionoidea, Iran, fauna Ключевые слова: долгоносикообразные жуки, Coleoptera, Curculionoidea, Иран, фауна Summary. Curculionid-beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) is the largest superfamily in Arthropoda with a number of important agricultural pests within the taxon. The fauna of Iranian Curculionoidea including the families Anthribidae (3 species), Rhynchitidae (15 species), Attelabidae (2 species), Brentidae (76 species), Brachyceridae (2 species), Dryophthoridae (8 species) and Curculionidae (651 species) is discussed in this paper. 757 species from 245 genera are listed with 61 new records for the fauna of Iran.
    [Show full text]
  • Integration of Entomopathogenic Fungi Into IPM Programs: Studies Involving Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) Affecting Horticultural Crops
    insects Review Integration of Entomopathogenic Fungi into IPM Programs: Studies Involving Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) Affecting Horticultural Crops Kim Khuy Khun 1,2,* , Bree A. L. Wilson 2, Mark M. Stevens 3,4, Ruth K. Huwer 5 and Gavin J. Ash 2 1 Faculty of Agronomy, Royal University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2696, Dangkor District, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2 Centre for Crop Health, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia; [email protected] (B.A.L.W.); [email protected] (G.J.A.) 3 NSW Department of Primary Industries, Yanco Agricultural Institute, Yanco, New South Wales 2703, Australia; [email protected] 4 Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2650, Australia 5 NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute, Wollongbar, New South Wales 2477, Australia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] or [email protected]; Tel.: +61-46-9731208 Received: 7 September 2020; Accepted: 21 September 2020; Published: 25 September 2020 Simple Summary: Horticultural crops are vulnerable to attack by many different weevil species. Fungal entomopathogens provide an attractive alternative to synthetic insecticides for weevil control because they pose a lesser risk to human health and the environment. This review summarises the available data on the performance of these entomopathogens when used against weevils in horticultural crops. We integrate these data with information on weevil biology, grouping species based on how their developmental stages utilise habitats in or on their hostplants, or in the soil.
    [Show full text]
  • Yam Beetle (Heteroligus Meles) and Palm Weevil
    9782 Adesina Adeolu Jonathan/ Elixir Food Science 49 (2012) 9782-9786 Available online at www.elixirpublishers.com (Elixir International Journal) Food Science Elixir Food Science 49 (2012) 9782-9786 Proximate and anti-nutritional composition of two common edible insects: yam beetle ( Heteroligus meles ) and palm weevil ( Rhynchophorus phoenicis ) Adesina Adeolu Jonathan Department of Chemistry, Ekiti State University, PMB 5363, Ado Ekiti. Nigeria. ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Determination of the proximate and anti-nutritional composition of two common edible Received: 12 June 2012; insects: yam beetle ( Heteroligus meles ) and palm weevil ( Rhynchophorus phoenicis ) was Received in revised form: carried out and the results showed that they both contained an appreciable levels of protein 23 July 2012; (38.10 and 50.01% respectvely), with moisture, ash, fibre, lipid, carbohydrate and gross Accepted: 30 July 2012; energy levels being:(1.01, 5.78, 3.00, 32.01, 20.10% and 521.41Kcal/kg) and (1.16, 4.92, 2.56, 21.12, 20.23% and 480.02Kcal/kg) respectively. The results of the anti-nutritional Keywords analysis revealed that oxalate (total and soluble) were (29.00 and 19.32mg/100g) and (21.72 Heteroligus meles, and 14.01mg/100g) for yam beetles and palm weevils respectively. These results were fairly Rhynchophorus phoenicis, high compared to other anti-nutritional components of the studied insects but generally fall Proximate and anti-nutrients within nutritionally accepted values. The lower values of phytic acid, HCN and tannins Compositions. (0.311, 2.651 and 0.42mg/100g) and (0.276, 2.531 and 0.481 mg/100g) respectively for yam beetle and palm weevils.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Component Ratio Integrity in Host-Plant Selection: a Chemical and Biological Approach
    University College, London THE ROLE OF COMPONENT RATIO INTEGRITY IN HOST-PLANT SELECTION: A CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL APPROACH. By Sarah Rachael Graves Rothamsted Supervisor* Professor John A. Pickett University College supervisor* Professor Michael H. Abraham CASE (AgriSense) Supervisor: Dr. Owen T. Jones A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University College, London for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 2003 Worked carried out in the Biological Chemistry Division of Rothamsted Research (formerly lACR'Rothamsted), Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ. ProQuest Number: U643202 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest. ProQuest U643202 Published by ProQuest LLC(2016). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Abstract The role of ratio integrity between volatile semiochemicals (behaviour modifying chemicals) in host plant selection was investigated using the pea and bean weevil, Sitona lineatush., as the model insect. The quantification of the attraction of S. lineatus to traps baited with modified ratios of host ( Vicia fabâ) semiochemicals together with synthetic aggregation pheromone was evaluated statistically. The bait mixture contained 3 hexen l ol, 3 hexenyl acetate, 1 octen 3 ol, 2- phenylethanol, beta caryophyllene, benzyl alcohol, alpha terpineol, hexanal, linalool plus the pheromone, 4 methyl 3,5 heptanedione.
    [Show full text]
  • Mass Trapping and Biological Control of Rhynchophorus Palmarum L. A
    ISSN 1983-0572 Publicação do Projeto Entomologistas do Brasil www.ebras.bio.br Mass Trapping and Biological Control of Rhynchophorus palmarum L.: A hypothesis based on morphological evidences Flávio Costa Miguens¹, Jorge André Sacramento de Magalhães¹, Livia Melo de Amorim¹, Viviane Rossi Goebel¹, Nicola Le Coustour², Marie Lummerzheim², José Inácio Lacerda Moura³ & Rosane Motta Costa¹ 1. Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darci Ribeiro. Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, e-mail: [email protected] (Autor para correspondência), [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. 2. Ecole Superiereure d’ Agriculture Purpan, e-mail: lummerzheim@ purpan.fr, [email protected]. 3. Estação Experimental Lemos Maia CEPEC CEPLAC, e-mail: [email protected]. AL _____________________________________ EntomoBrasilis 4 (2): 49-55 (2011) ER Abstract. Palm weevils have been reported as a pest and red ring nematode vectors for several palms of the Arecaceae family. Rhynchophorus palmarum L (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a pest for coconut crop and other palms. It is vector of Bursaphelenchus cocophilus (Cobb) Baujard (Nematoda) etiological agent of Red Ring disease and other nematodes. Current methods recommended use of enemies and parasites in integrated pest management of Rhynchophorinae. In addition, mass trap reduce environmental damage. The objectives of our study on coconut plantations were: (1) to determine the efficiency of low expensive kariomones traps and (2) low expensive kariomones and pheromones traps using adult males; and (3) to examine R. palmarum using light and scanning electron microscopy searching for ectoparasites which can be proposed in integrated pest management.
    [Show full text]
  • Giant Palm Weevils of the Genus Rhynchophorus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Their Threat to Florida Palms
    DACS-P-01719 Pest Alert created 18-February-2010 Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry Adam H. Putnam, Commissioner of Agriculture Giant Palm Weevils of the Genus Rhynchophorus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Their Threat to Florida Palms Michael C. Thomas, Taxonomic Entomologist, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry INTRODUCTION: The giant palm weevils of the genus Rhynchophorus Herbst are among the worst palm pests in the world. One species, Rhynchophorus cruentatus (Fabricius), is native to Florida and the southeastern US. Two other species, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) and Rhynchophorus palmarum (L.), are found in the New World and are considered to be threats to palms in Florida. Of particular concern is R. ferrugineus, known as the red palm weevil. It is a pest of coconut and other palms in its native range. Over the past three decades, its range has expanded into the Middle East, North Africa and Mediterranean Europe. It attacks many palm species, but is especially devastating on date palms. It recently became established in Curaçao in the Caribbean, placing it ever closer to Florida. In each case, it is suspected that the weevils travelled with imported palms. In January 2010, the federal government prohibited the importation into the United States of live palms belonging to 17 genera. IDENTIFICATION: Identification of adult palm weevils is straightforward as they are the largest weevils in NorthAmerica, ranging from about 1 to 1.8 inches (25mm to 45mm) in length. The individual species are rather similar, but the three species under consideration can be distinguished by the following key: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Feeding and Behavioral Activities As an Oil Palm Defoliator Author(S): Luis C
    Leucothyreus femoratus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): Feeding and Behavioral Activities as an Oil Palm Defoliator Author(s): Luis C. Martínez, Angelica Plata-Rueda, José C. Zanuncio and José E. Serrao Source: Florida Entomologist, 96(1):55-63. Published By: Florida Entomological Society https://doi.org/10.1653/024.096.0107 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1653/024.096.0107 BioOne (www.bioone.org) is a nonprofit, online aggregation of core research in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. BioOne provides a sustainable online platform for over 170 journals and books published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Web site, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/page/ terms_of_use. Usage of BioOne content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non-commercial use. Commercial inquiries or rights and permissions requests should be directed to the individual publisher as copyright holder. BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. Martínez et al.: Leucothyreus femoratus Defoliates Oil Palm 55 LEUCOTHYREUS FEMORATUS (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE): FEEDING AND BEHAVIORAL ACTIVITIES AS AN OIL PALM DEFOLIATOR LUIS C. MARTÍNEZ1,*, ANGELICA PLATA-RUEDA2, JOSÉ C. ZANUNCIO1
    [Show full text]
  • RHYNCHOPHORINAE of SOUTHEASTERN POLYNESIA1 2 (Coleoptera : Curculionidae)
    Pacific Insects 10 (1): 47-77 10 May 1968 RHYNCHOPHORINAE OF SOUTHEASTERN POLYNESIA1 2 (Coleoptera : Curculionidae) By Elwood C. Zimmerman BISHOP MUSEUM, HONOLULU Abstract: Ten species of Rhynchophorinae are recorded from southeastern Polynesia, including two new species of Dryophthorus from Rapa. Excepting the latter, all the spe­ cies have been introduced into the area and most are of economic importance. Keys to adults and larvae, notes on biologies, new distributional data and illustrations are pre­ sented. This is a combined Pacific Entomological Survey (1928-1933) and Mangarevan Expedi­ tion (1934) report. I had hoped to publish the account soon after my return from the 1934 expedition to southeastern Polynesia, but its preparation has been long delayed be­ cause of my pre-occupation with other duties. With the exception of two new endemic species of Dryophthorus, described herein, all of the Rhynchophorinae found in southeastern Polynesia (Polynesia south of Hawaii and east of Samoa; see fig. 1) have been introduced through the agencies of man. The most easterly locality where endemic typical rhynchophorids are known to occur in the mid- Pacific is Samoa where there are endemic species of Diathetes. (I consider the Dryoph- thorini and certain other groups to be atypical Rhynchophorinae). West of Samoa the subfamily becomes increasingly rich and diversified. There are multitudes of genera and species from Papua to India, and it is in the Indo-Pacific where the subfamily is most abundant. Figure 2 demonstrates the comparative faunistic developments of the typical rhynchophorids. I am indebted to the British Museum (Natural History) for allowing me extensive use of the unsurpassed facilities of the Entomology Department and libraries and to the Mu­ seum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, for use of the library.
    [Show full text]
  • Improving Rural Livelihoods Through Participative Research on the Domestication and Breeding of the Palm Weevil Larvae (Rhynchophorus Phoenicis Fabr.)
    Improving rural livelihoods through participative research on the domestication and breeding of the palm weevil larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabr.)- The African palm weevil project FINAL PROJECT REPORT Presented by Fogoh John MUAFOR Philippe LE GALL Patrice LEVANG April 2014 ABSTRACT As part of efforts to fight against food insecurity, poverty and biodiversity erosion, this project was elaborated to initiate the breeding and domestication of the palm weevil grubs (edible larvae of the African palm weevil: Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabricius, 1801). The project was aimed at determining an appropriate technique and feed formula for the domestication of the larvae, as well as training local people on acquired multiplication and breeding techniques. In order to meet this objective, an experimental system was established in the village of Ntoung, Abong-Mbang Division, East Cameroon. The experimental system was made up of a hut and seven boxes in which the domestication attempts were made. Four feed formulas were introduced in the boxes as substrates to which adult palm weevils were added after being coupled. The feed formulas included: i) only fresh stems of raffia; ii) A mixture of fresh and decayed raffia tissues; iii) Only decayed raffia tissues; and iv) A mixture of decayed raffia tissues and chicken feed. Water was sprinkled on the substrate on a daily basis to maintain the humidity of the milieu. In total, 13 grown individuals of palm weevil grubs were harvested in the domestication attempt, with only two of the feed formulas being efficient for the production of the grubs. However, young maggots were noticed in all the three food formulas within the first two weeks of the experiment, most of which died within the third week.
    [Show full text]
  • Weevils) of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Virginia
    September 2020 The Maryland Entomologist Volume 7, Number 4 The Maryland Entomologist 7(4):43–62 The Curculionoidea (Weevils) of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Virginia Brent W. Steury1*, Robert S. Anderson2, and Arthur V. Evans3 1U.S. National Park Service, 700 George Washington Memorial Parkway, Turkey Run Park Headquarters, McLean, Virginia 22101; [email protected] *Corresponding author 2The Beaty Centre for Species Discovery, Research and Collection Division, Canadian Museum of Nature, PO Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, ON. K1P 6P4, CANADA;[email protected] 3Department of Recent Invertebrates, Virginia Museum of Natural History, 21 Starling Avenue, Martinsville, Virginia 24112; [email protected] ABSTRACT: One-hundred thirty-five taxa (130 identified to species), in at least 97 genera, of weevils (superfamily Curculionoidea) were documented during a 21-year field survey (1998–2018) of the George Washington Memorial Parkway national park site that spans parts of Fairfax and Arlington Counties in Virginia. Twenty-three species documented from the parkway are first records for the state. Of the nine capture methods used during the survey, Malaise traps were the most successful. Periods of adult activity, based on dates of capture, are given for each species. Relative abundance is noted for each species based on the number of captures. Sixteen species adventive to North America are documented from the parkway, including three species documented for the first time in the state. Range extensions are documented for two species. Images of five species new to Virginia are provided. Keywords: beetles, biodiversity, Malaise traps, national parks, new state records, Potomac Gorge. INTRODUCTION This study provides a preliminary list of the weevils of the superfamily Curculionoidea within the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) national park site in northern Virginia.
    [Show full text]
  • Pathogenicity of Indigenous Strains of Three Entomopathogenic Fungi to the Sisal Weevil, Scyphophorus Acupunctatus (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
    Hellenic Plant Protection Journal 8: 46-54, 2015 DOI 10.1515/hppj-2015-0007 Pathogenicity of indigenous strains of three entomopathogenic fungi to the sisal weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) V.T. Gkounti, D. Markoyiannaki and D.Ch. Kontodimas* Summary The pathogenicity of indigenous isolates of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Isaria fumosorosea was evaluated in the laboratory against larvae and adults of the sisal weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus. Inoculation was achieved via immersion of individuals into conidia sus- pensions of diff erent concentrations. All three fungal species proved high pathogenicity against lar- vae of the weevil, causing 100% mortality in most of the treatments. Beauveria bassiana caused the highest mortality of the adults (86.67±12%), followed by M. anisopliae (46.67±17.8%) and I. fumosoro- sea (40±17.5%). Mean survival time also diff ered signifi cantly among treatments and life stages of the weevil. In total, larvae survived signifi cantly fewer days than adults post infection. Results of the pres- ent study indicate the potential of indigenous strains of entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents against the invasive weevil. Additional keywords: agave, Beauveria bassiana, Curculionidae, Isaria fumosorosea, Metarhizium anisopliae Introduction by plant’s fi bers to complete their devel- opment (Lock, 1965). In addition to the de- The sisal weevil, Scyphophorus acupuncta- structive activities of the larvae, the adults tus (Gyllenhal), is amongst the most severe are often natural vectors of plant pathogen- pests of both cultivated and ornamental ic bacteria, such as Erwinia carotovora (Dye) agave plants (Pott, 1975; Valenzuela-Zapata, (Aquino Bolanos et al., 2011).
    [Show full text]