Advances in the use of trapping systems for Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): traps and attractants

J Econ Entomol. 2013 Aug;106(4):1739-46. doi: 10.1603/ec13105.

Abstract

Given the social importance related to the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), efforts are being made to develop new control methods, such as the deployment of trapping systems. In this work, the efficacy of a new black pyramidal trap design (Picusan) has been verified in comparison with white and black buckets. In addition, the attractant and synergistic effect of ethyl acetate (EtAc) at different release levels has been evaluated under field conditions. The results show that Picusan traps captured 45% more weevils than bucket-type traps, offering significantly better trapping efficacy. The addition of water to traps baited with palm tissues was found to be essential, with catches increasing more than threefold compared with dry traps. EtAc alone does not offer attractant power under field conditions, and the release levels from 57 mg/d to 1 g/d have no synergistic effect with ferrugineol. Furthermore, significantly fewer females were captured when EtAc was released at 2 g/d. The implications of using EtAc dispensers in trapping systems are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Arecaceae
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fatty Alcohols / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Insect Control / instrumentation
  • Insect Control / methods*
  • Male
  • Pheromones / pharmacology*
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Spain
  • Water / chemistry*
  • Weevils / drug effects*

Substances

  • 4-methyl-5-nonanol
  • Acetates
  • Fatty Alcohols
  • Pheromones
  • insect attractants
  • Water
  • ethyl acetate