Biological control against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and details on its distribution in Egypt
Laboratory and field studies were done in Egypt to assess the pathogenicity of nematodes (10 species of Steinernema and Heterorhabditis) against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae – EPPO Alert List). In laboratory trials, all tested nematodes (except S. glaseri and S. anomali) were found pathogenic to all developmental stages of R. ferrugineus. However, most nematodes when injected as suspensions to the trees in field conditions failed to control the pest. The highest larval mortality was obtained with H. bacteriophora (66.7% mortality). It is felt that this failure could be due to hot weather, tunnelling behaviour of the pest, and large amounts of sap flowing from the affected sites in the trunk.
It is recalled that the red palm weevil was first recorded in Egypt in 1992 from Al-Kassaseine Province, in Ismaelyia Governorate. So far, the infestation is still limited to Ismaelyia and Sharkyia Governorates. Since its appearance in Egypt, several measures have been taken by the Ministry of Agriculture to limit its spread: removing and burning of infested trees, insecticide injections or sprays, and phytosanitary regulations. The situation of R. ferrugineus in Egypt can be described as follows: Present, only in Ismaelyia and Sharkyia Governorates.
Sources
Abbas, M.S.T.; Saleh, M.M.E.; Akil, A.M. (2001) Laboratory and field evaluation of the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic nematodes to the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliv.) (Col.: Curculionidae).
Journal of Pest Science, 74(6), 145-168.