@article {15152, title = {Nematodes of Rhynchophorus palmarum, L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), vector of the Red Ring disease in coconut plantations from the north of the Rio de Janeiro State}, journal = {Parasitology Research}, volume = {102}, number = {6}, year = {2008}, month = {May}, pages = {1281-1287}, type = {Article}, abstract = {Rhynchophorus palmarum, the palm weevil, has been reported as a pest of palms and sugarcane plants. The Red Ring Disease is an infectious plant disease caused by nematodes. The etiological agent, Bursaphelencus (Rhadinaphelencus) cocophilus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), completes its life cycle within 9 to 10 days inside the palm tree. The main symptom is a permanent wilting of the plant aerial parts. Previous studies stated that B. cocophilus cohabits with other nematodes the gut of R. palmarum. The aim of this study is to identify nematodes collected from palm weevil found in coconut plantations from the north of the Rio de Janeiro State. Light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were carried on samples of infected R. palmarum and fragments and fresh juice of infected plants with B. cocophilus. Observations of R. palmarum fecal material made by LM and SEM showed three species cohabiting these samples, being also present in fresh juice and fragments of infected coconut tree: B. cocophilus, Teratorhabditis palmarum (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) and Diplogasteritus sp (Nematoda: Diplogasteridae). These findings confirm previous studies, which related that R. palmarum own a varied nematode fauna. Nematodes associated to B. cocophilus probably could be co-participates of the etiology of the Red Ring disease.}, keywords = {Rhynchophorus palmarum}, isbn = {0932-0113}, author = {Magalhaes, J. A. S. and de Moraes Neto, A. H. A. and Miguens, F. C.} } @article {14336, title = {Nematodes of Rhynchophorus palmarum, L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), vector of the Red Ring disease in coconut plantations from the north of the Rio de Janeiro State}, journal = {Parasitology Research}, volume = {102}, number = {6}, year = {2008}, month = {May}, pages = {1281-1287}, type = {Article}, abstract = {Rhynchophorus palmarum, the palm weevil, has been reported as a pest of palms and sugarcane plants. The Red Ring Disease is an infectious plant disease caused by nematodes. The etiological agent, Bursaphelencus (Rhadinaphelencus) cocophilus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), completes its life cycle within 9 to 10 days inside the palm tree. The main symptom is a permanent wilting of the plant aerial parts. Previous studies stated that B. cocophilus cohabits with other nematodes the gut of R. palmarum. The aim of this study is to identify nematodes collected from palm weevil found in coconut plantations from the north of the Rio de Janeiro State. Light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were carried on samples of infected R. palmarum and fragments and fresh juice of infected plants with B. cocophilus. Observations of R. palmarum fecal material made by LM and SEM showed three species cohabiting these samples, being also present in fresh juice and fragments of infected coconut tree: B. cocophilus, Teratorhabditis palmarum (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) and Diplogasteritus sp (Nematoda: Diplogasteridae). These findings confirm previous studies, which related that R. palmarum own a varied nematode fauna. Nematodes associated to B. cocophilus probably could be co-participates of the etiology of the Red Ring disease.}, keywords = {Rhynchophorus palmarum}, isbn = {0932-0113}, author = {Magalhaes, J. A. S. and de Moraes Neto, A. H. A. and Miguens, F. C.} } @article {13278, title = {Acrostichus rhynchophori n. sp. (Rhabditida: Diplogastridae): a phoretic associate of Rhynchophorus cruentatus Fabricius and R. palmarum L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the Americas}, journal = {Nematology}, volume = {11}, number = {5}, year = {2009}, month = {2009}, pages = {669-688}, abstract = {Acrostichus dauer larvae (JIII) were recovered during dissections of the palmetto weevil, Rhynchophorus cruentatus, from southern Florida, and the palm weevil, R. palmarum, from Colombia, Costa Rica and Trinidad. Based upon morphological and molecular studies, the four isolates are conspecific and are described herein as A. rhynchophori n. sp. Acrostichus rhynchophori n. sp. is characterised by narrow, flap-like dorsal tooth, female gonads not reflexed to the level of the vulva, male spicule and gubernaculum morphology, i.e., spicule with small and indistinct manubrium embedded in lamina/calomus complex, strong expansion just posterior to manubrium and smoothly curved and smoothly tapered lamina/calomus complex, and gubernaculum with claw-like anterior end in lateral view and three distal branches in ventral view. The new species is distinguished from A. superbus by morphology of the spicule and gubernaculum. Type specimens of four other Acrostichus species, originally described from bark beetles from North America, i.e., A. concolor, A. gubernatus, A. ponderosus and A. taedus, were re-examined and photo-documented.}, keywords = {Rhynchophorus cruentatus}, isbn = {1388-5545}, author = {Kanzaki, Natsumi and Giblin-Davis, Robin M. and Zeng, Yongsan and Ye, Weimin and Center, Barbara J.} } @article {11921, title = {Biodiversity and Seasonal Fluctuation of Mite Families Associated with the Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliver (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Egypt}, journal = {Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control}, volume = {21}, number = {2}, year = {2011}, month = {2011}, pages = {317-323}, abstract = {Ten mite families belong to 2 suborders were collected from the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliver) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and their habitats from Ismailia Governorate, Egypt. Suborder Gamasida included 8 families (Trachyuropodidae Trematuridae, Uropodidae, Macrochilidae, Ascidae, Lealapidae, Sejidae and Digamasellidae). Thirteen mite species were isolated from adults, cocoon and core of palm tree. Trachyuropodidae was the most abundant family. Suborder Oribatida included 2 families (Oppiidae and gluminidae). Most of the surveyed families were found to be biological control agents against the red palm weevil.}, keywords = {Rynchophorus ferrugineus}, isbn = {1110-1768}, author = {Hassan, M. F. and Nasr, A. K. and Allam, Sally F. and Taha, H. A. and Mahmoud, Reham A.} } @article {11919, title = {Support Vector Machine Based Red Palm Weevil (Rynchophorus ferrugineous, Olivier) Recognition System}, journal = {American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, year = {2012}, month = {2012}, pages = {36-42}, abstract = {Problem statement: Red palm weevil (Rynchophorus Ferrugineous, Oliveir) is an insect which threatens the existence of palm trees. The proposed research is to develop a RPW identification system using Support Vector Machine method. The problem is to extract image features from an image and using SVM to find out the existence of RPW in an image. Approach: Images are snapped and image processing techniques of Regional Properties and Zernike Moments are used to extract different features of an image. The obtained features are fed into the SVM based system individually as well as in combination. The database used to train and test the system includes 326 RPW and 93 other insect images. The input data from database is selected randomly and fed into the system in three steps i.e., 25, 50 and 75\% while remaining database is used for testing purpose. In SVM, polynomial kernel function and Radial Basis Function are used for training. Each experiment is repeated 10 times and the average results are used for analysis. Results: The optimal results are obtained by using Radial Basis Function in SVM at lower values of sigma {\textquoteright}[sigma]{\textquoteright} while Polynomial kernel function is not successful in returning adequate results. Further detailed analysis of results for {\textquoteright}[sigma]{\textquoteright} value of 10 and 15 revealed that proposed system works well with large training data and with inputs obtained by Regional Properties. The optimal value of {\textquoteright}[sigma]{\textquoteright} for proposed system is found to be 10 when training data ratio is 50\%. The training time for proposed system depends on size of database and is found to be 0.025 sec per image while time consumed by proposed system for identification of RPW in an image is found to be 15 milli sec. The proposed system{\textquoteright}s success in identification of RPW and other insect is found to be 97 and 93\% respectively. Conclusion: It is concluded that SVM based system using Radial Basis Function having {\textquoteright}[sigma]{\textquoteright} value of 10 is optimal in identifying RPW from an image. The optimal input data for the proposed system needs to be obtained by Regional Properties only.}, keywords = {Rynchophorus ferrugineus}, author = {Hassan, Ghulam Mubashar and Al-Saquer, Saleh Mufleh} } @article {10831, title = {Characterization of lipids in Rhynchophorus pheonicis larval oil}, journal = {Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research}, volume = {50}, number = {2}, year = {2007}, month = {March-April}, pages = {75-79}, abstract = {Rhynchophorus pheonicis larval oil was extracted, and characterized by physical and chemical methods. The lipid content of the larva was 25.30 [plus or minus] 0.20\% (wet weight). The oil was golden-yellow, odourless and fluid at room temperature (26 [plus or minus] 2 [degree]C). Lipid analysis revealed that the larval oil comprised of 88.40 [plus or minus] 0.35\% neutral lipid, 8.20 [plus or minus] 0.11\% phospholipid and 2.60 [plus or minus] 0.10\% glycolipids. The unsaturated fatty acids accounted for 61.10 \% of the total fatty acids whereas, the saturated fatty acids constituted 38.90\% of the fatty acids. Further analysis revealed refractive index of 1.30 [plus or minus] 0.05, specific gravity of 0.89 [plus or minus] 0.01, solidification value of 12-14 [degree]C, total lipid phosphorus of 31.00 [plus or minus] 0.25 ([mu]g/g lipid), acid value of 3.50 [plus or minus] 0.06, iodine value of 123.60 [plus or minus] 0.24, saponification value of 198.90 [plus or minus] 0.25, and unsaponifiable matter of 8.60 [plus or minus] 0.18. These values when compared with that observed in oils which have been considered to be of high quality, and of much use in the pharmaceutical industries, suggested that R. pheonicis larval oil may have pharmaceutical potential.}, keywords = {Rhynchophorus pheonicis}, isbn = {0030-9885}, author = {Ekpo, K. E. and Onigbinde, A. O.} } @article {10785, title = {Mitotic and meiotic studies of seven Caribbean weevils: difference of sex bivalent compaction at pachynema between Curculionidae and Dryophthoridae (Insecta: Coleoptera) species}, journal = {Comparative Cytogenetics}, volume = {2}, number = {1}, year = {2008}, month = {2008}, pages = {7-20}, type = {Article}, abstract = {The mitotic and meiotic karyotypes of seven species of Caribbean weevils are reported. Three species belong to the Dryophthoridae and four to the Curculionidae families. All are considered as pests for agriculture, and were formerly classified among Curculionidae. The three mitotic karyotypes of the Dryophthoridae species differ in their chromosome number and morphology while those of the four Curculionidae species are fairly similar and can be distinguished by heterochromatin variations or NOR location only. Diakineses/Metaphases I of all species exhibit a parachute sex bivalent and the same range of autosomal bivalent compaction. At contrast, at the pachytene stage, bivalents appear less compact in Curculionidae than in Dryophthoridae species, and this difference is particularly clear for the sex bivalent: at early-mid pachytene stage, chromosomes X and Y are elongated and in end-to-end association in Curculionidae while they form a rounded dense body in Dryophthoridae species. In both conditions, the sex chromosomes are embedded in argyrophilic proteins. The different compactions of the sex chromosomes do not depend on NOR location, either on the X or autosome(s). Thus, bivalent compaction kinetic and/or structure at pachynema may be a taxonomic character, which would give arguments for the split of Curculionidae into two families.}, keywords = {Cosmopolites sordidus, Diaprepes abbreviatus, Diaprepes marginicollis, Exophthalmus famelicus, Exophthalmus quadritaenia, Metamasius hemipterus, Rhynchophorus palmarum.}, isbn = {1993-0771}, author = {Dutrillaux, A. M. and Xie, H. and Dutrillaux, B.} } @article {10657, title = {Production and commercialization of the larva of Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) in the Peruvian Amazonia}, journal = {Bolet{\'\i}n de la SEA}, volume = {42}, year = {2008}, month = {31 mayo}, pages = {407-412}, type = {Article}, abstract = {Insects constitute a source of food in all tropical areas. Many surveys show the diversity of insects consumed by man, and their high nutritive value. In the Peruvian Amazonia, one of the favourite species is the larva of Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera Dryophthoridae). The most important host plant of this insect is the palm tree Mauritia flexuosa, which grows naturally in swampy areas. The larvae, or "sun", develop in the stipes cut down for fruit collecting. The production methods of the Kukama-Kukaminia indians have been studied, as well as the commercialization in the markets of the town of Iquitos. It appears that the average monthly revenue amounts to 800 soles (= 200 euros). A better exploitation of the trunks could make this product more profitable.}, keywords = {Rhynchophorus palmarum}, isbn = {1134-6094}, author = {Delgado, Cesar and Couturier, Guy and Mathews, Paul and Mejia, Kember} } @article {9962, title = {The importance of traditional ecological knowledge for palm-weevil cultivation in the Venezuelan Amazon}, journal = {Journal of Ethnobiology}, volume = {29}, number = {1}, year = {2009}, month = {Spring-Summer}, pages = {113-128}, abstract = {Entomophagy is widespread among indigenous people, promoting the gathering of traditional ecological knowledge of insect life histories and plant-insect interactions. In the Amazon, the cultivation of palm weevil larvae (Rhynchophorus palmarum and Rhinostomus barbirostris) for food provides an important supplement to the diets of many indigenous people. This study conducted with the Joti people from Venezuelan Amazonia examined their traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of palm (Oenocarpus bacaba) and weevil interactions and how they have applied their TEK to optimize returns on palm weevil cultivation. They manipulate palms to induce changes in the resource-partitioning and competition that occurs naturally between weevil species, thereby increasing harvests of their preferred species of weevil. We found that the joti{\textquoteright}s traditional ecological knowledge was congruent with scientific findings of weevil natural history and palm and weevil interactions. This analysis identifies potential research directions that may provide solutions to agricultural problems such as palm weevil infestations in palm plantations. We conclude that understanding and preserving traditional ecological knowledge and practices is important for organisms such as palm weevils that rarely have been studied in their natural forest settings.}, keywords = {Rhinostomus barbirostris, Rhynchophorus palmarum}, isbn = {0278-0771}, author = {Choo, Juanita and Zent, Eglee L. and Simpson, Beryl B.} } @article {9442, title = {Growth performance of the red-stripe weevil Rhynchophorus schach Oliv. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on meridic diets}, journal = {American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences}, volume = {3}, number = {1}, year = {2008}, month = {2008}, pages = {403-409}, type = {Article}, abstract = {Biology and growth performance of Red Stripe Weevil, Rhynchophorus schach Oliv. were studied using meridic diets. The diets consisted of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) bagasse, copra (Cocos nucifera L.) cake and sago (Metroxylon sagus Rottb.) flour as main ingredients. Larvae or locally known as sagoworm, in copra cake diet exhibited the fastest growth with maximum weight gain of 1609 mg in week 5, while those of sugarcane bagasse diet had slowest growth with peak weight gain of 1024 mg in week 9. Sago flour diet gave the longest larval period at 96.3 days with the highest final larval weight of 8132.1 mg. The R. schach larvae had 8 instars. Head capsule width within each instar was constant irrespective of diets given. Instar period was dependent on diets given and varied from 6.3-12 days. Pupal duration ranged from 38.5-41 days. Adult emergence was 90\%. Sago flour diet had the heaviest pupae and adults. Male weevils emerged earlier than the females, but females lived 10-13 days longer. Fecundity was low at 67 eggs per female but the hatchability was 92\%. Life cycle for the insect ranged from 130.2-138.8 days, with a lifespan of 178.2-183.8 days. Larvae raised on sago flour diet had the highest fat content at 57.8\% but with the lowest fiber at 4.7\%. Larvae were generally rich in Mg, Ca, Zn and Fe, but low in Cu. This study showed that sago flour constituted the most suitable diet. The results also suggested that growth and development of the weevil could be further improved by incorporating copra cake and sugarcane bagasse into the sago flour diet. Larvae could be readily mass produced as a source of nutritious food, besides its potential use as a laboratory test organism.}, keywords = {Rhynchophorus schach}, author = {Bong, Choon-Fah J. and Er, Chin-Chin and Yiu, Pang-Hung and Rajan, Amartalingam} } @article {9315, title = {Purification and characterization of a novel thermoacidophilic and thermostable alpha -mannosidase from the digestive fluid of oil palm weevil Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) larvae}, journal = {European Journal of Entomology}, volume = {106}, number = {2}, year = {2009}, month = {May 20}, pages = {185-191}, abstract = {An extracellular [alpha]-mannosidase with unusual properties was purified from the digestive fluid of oil palm weevil (Rhynchophorus palmarum Linnaeus) larvae using ammonium sulphate saturation, size exclusion and anion-exchange chromatography. The enzyme named RpltM is thermoacidophilic, thermostable and behaves like lysosomal [alpha]-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24). The molecular weight, Km value, optimum reaction temperature and pH are 108-112 kDa, 0.36 mM, 65[degree]C and 4.5, respectively. Zn2+ enhanced whereas Cu2+ Sodium dodecyl sulphate, swainsonine and 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-iminomannitol strongly inhibited its hydrolytic activity. The enzyme was stable for 25 min at 65[degree]C and retained 70\% of its initial activity after 60 min. At 70[degree]C, around 60\% of this activity was conserved after 25 min. RpltM retained more than 90\% of its activity over a pH range of 4.2 to 5.0 and remained fully active in the presence of detergents such as nonidet P-40, triton X-100, polyoxyethylen-10-oleyl ether (up to 1\%, w/v), dithiothreitol and [beta]-mercaptoethanol. The stability under these conditions is also better than that reported for other insect [alpha]-mannosidases. Thus, RpltM could be used as an important bioindustrial tool for removing mannose residues from oligosaccharides.}, keywords = {Rhynchophorus palmarum}, isbn = {1210-5759}, author = {Bedikou, Micael and Ahi, Pascal and Kone, Martial and Faulet, Betty and Gonnety, Jean and Kouame, Patrice and Niamke, Sebastien} } @article {9313, title = {Biochemical properties of extracellular alpha -mannosidases from the digestive fluid of Rhynchophorus palmarum larvae}, journal = {Bulletin of Insectology}, volume = {62}, number = {1}, year = {2009}, month = {June}, pages = {75-84}, abstract = {Three extracellular [alpha]-mannosidases (EC 3.2.1.24) were purified from the digestive fluid of oil palm weevil larvae. Rhynchophorus palmarum (L.) and characterized in order to explore their potential for biotechnological application. Three steps procedure including size exclusion, anion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography were Used. The enzymes named Rp/M1, Rp/M2 and Rp/M3 had native molecular weights of approximately 125, 72 and 111 kDa, respectively and functioned as dimeric (Rp/M1) and monomeric (Rp/M2 and Rp/M3) Structures. The three [alpha]-mannosidases displayed acidic and mesophilic activities by using para-nitrophenyl-[alpha]-D-Mannopyranoside as substrate. Apparent KM values were found to be 0.13, 0.22 and 0.16 nM for Rp/M1, Rp/M2 and Rp/M3, respectively. Ba2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+ and ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) had no effect oil the three enzyme activities whereas detergents and reducing agents were inhibitors. Rp/M1, Rp/M2 and Rp/M3 were more sensitive to swainsonine and cleaved [alpha]-1,2: [alpha]-1,3 and [alpha]-1.6 linked mannobioses. These characteristics prompted LIS to categorize them as catabolic [alpha]-mannosidases. Thus, they would help in the larval oil palm weevil nutrition allowing digestion by the removal of mannose residues in the beetle{\textquoteright}s diet. Also, these enzymes could find potential application in biological, biochemical and pharmaceutical area.}, keywords = {Rhynchophorus palmarum}, isbn = {1721-8861}, author = {Bedikou, Ehuie M. and Ahi, Amedee P. and Kone, Fankroma M. and Gonnety, Jean T. and Faulet, Betty M. and Kouame, Lucien P. and Niamke, Sebastien L.} } @article {8543, title = {Rhyncophorus Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Linnaeus, 1758): A Morphological and Histological Study of the Female Reproductive System}, journal = {Microscopy Research and Technique}, volume = {74}, number = {9}, year = {2011}, month = {September}, pages = {853-862}, abstract = {Rhyncophorus palmarum (Coleoptera) is a pest of great economic importance because of the damage caused in the plants of the Palmae family. This study showed that the female reproductive system of this beetle is composed of two ovaries of the telotrophic meroistic type invariably containing two ovarioles per ovary. Each ovariole is home to about 50 oocytes at different stages of maturation. The proximal region of the ovary is rather peculiar because it houses inside it a large quantity of bacilliform structures immersed in a glycolipoprotein substance, which has never before been described in the literature. The function of these structures is still unknown. However, it is suggested that they can function as a method of neutralizing the resistance of the plant because these insects are responsible for the transmission of the red ring disease to the palm plants.}, keywords = {Rhyncophorus palmarum}, isbn = {1059-910X; 1097-0029}, author = {Mathias, Maria Izabel Camargo and Sanchez, Pedro and Denardi, Sandra Eloisi and Caetano, Flavio Henrique} } @article {5204, title = {Chemical evaluation of African palm weevil, Rhychophorus Rhynchophorus phoenicis, larvae as a food source}, journal = {Journal of Insect Science (Tucson)}, volume = {11}, year = {2011}, month = {4 November}, pages = {1-6}, abstract = {The chemical properties of the African palm weevil, Rhychophorus phoenicis (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), larvae were evaluated using standard methodology. The chloroform-methanol extract yielded 37.12\% on a dry basis. The oil was liquid at room temperature with a flash point of 36.0 [degrees]C. Analysis of the physical constants indicated values of 192.25 Wijs and 427.70 mg KOH/g as iodine and saponification, respectively. Fatty acid analysis of the extracted oil showed the presence of unsaturated fatty acids at low levels. Palmitic acid and stearic acid constituted 35.3 and 60.5\% of the oil, respectively. The usual behaviour of the oil at room temperature, irrespective of the level of unsaturation of its constituent fatty acid was noted. The total protein content of the defatted palm weevil larva (dry basis) was estimated at 66.3\%. The amino acid values compared favourably to FAO reference protein, except for tryptophan, which was limiting. All the other essential amino acids were adequate. Mineral analysis revealed high levels of potassium (1025 mg/100 g) and phosphorus (685 mg/100 g). The dried and defatted palm weevil lava represents a very good source of protein, and a good complement of essential amino acids.}, keywords = {Rhychophorus phoenicis}, isbn = {1536-2442}, url = {http://www.insectscience.org/11.146/i1536-2442-11-146.pdf}, author = {Elemo, Babajide O. and Elemo, Gloria N. and Makinde, M. A. and Erukainure, Ochuko L.} }