Lower temperature thresholds for oviposition and egg hatching of the Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in a Mediterranean climate

Publication Type:Journal Article
:2012
Authors:O. Dembilio, Tapia, G. V., Tellez, M. M., Jacas, J. A.
Journal:Bulletin of Entomological Research
Volume:102
Pagination:97-102
Date Published:February
:0007-4853
:Rhynchophorus ferrugineus
:

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an economically important pest of palms worldwide. To better understand the phenology of R. ferrugineus populations in the Mediterranean basin, the objective of the present work has been to estimate the effect of temperatures within the range 10[long dash]25[degree]C on the reproductive parameters of R. ferrugineus and to determine its lower temperature thresholds for oviposition and egg hatching. Our results confirm that oviposition in R. ferrugineus is strongly affected by temperature. Lower thresholds for oviposition and egg hatching (15.45[degree] and 13.95[degree]C, respectively) are below the mean monthly temperatures registered in winter in most of the northern shore of the Mediterranean basin. Under these circumstances, new palm infestations would be difficult during most of the winter. These results should be taken into account when planning some palm management practices, such as pruning or pesticide treatments, in areas under a Mediterranean climate.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith