EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 01 - 2005 Num. article: 2005/006

Use of sounds to detect Rhynchophorus ferrugineus


It has been observed that boring larvae of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae – EPPO Alert List) continuously create audible sounds while severing vascular bundles of palm trees. The use of a commercial acoustic device, originally developed for the detection of pests of grain, was studied and found useful. Software was then developed to recognize the ‘crunching sounds’ among other recorded sounds. Studies are currently being done to develop a sound profile which will serve as a basis for future instrumental detection of R. ferrugineus within palm trunks and offshoots.

Sources

Soroker V, Nakache Y, Landau U, Mizrach A, Hetzroni A, Gerling D (2004) Utilization of sounding methodology to detect infestation by Rhynchophorus ferrugineus on palm offshoots.
Phytoparasitica 32(1), 6-8.