Biology of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Spain
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus has recently been introduced into Andalucía, Spain (see EPPO RS 96/096, 97/010), and biological studies have been carried out in Spain. Pupa were collected in Almuñecar, Motril, Salobreña, La Herradura (Granada), and insects were reared in the laboratory on sugarcane. Several parameters of the biological cycle were studied: adult longevity, fecundity, fertility and egg mortality, larval and pupal duration (and associated mortality rates), duration of the complete life cycle. Compared to bibliographic data, results showed a slight reduction of the mean values of adult longevity (43-67 d) and fecundity (109-208 eggs/female), and a slight increase of the mean duration values of the different stages and of the complete cycle (122 d).
Observations were also made on the host range of the pest in the region of Almuñecar. In Spain, the insect can complete its life cycle on Phoenix canariensis, P. dactylifera, Cocos nucifera and Elaeis guineensis. In addition, larvae (L4 and L5) have been observed on Washingtonia sp., Metroxylon sagu and Sabal sp. The main host plant in Almuñecar is P. canariensis. It has also been observed that adults showed a marked sedentarity, however it is not known whether this is due to the adaptation of the pest to its new climatic conditions or if it is part of its normal behaviour.
Sources
Esteban-Durán, J.; Yela, J.L.; Beitia-Crespo, F.; Jiménez-Álvarez, A. (1998) Biología del curculiónido ferruginoso de las palmeras Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) en laboratorio y campo: ciclo en cautividad, peculiaridades biológicas en su zona de introducción en España y métodos biológicos de detección y posible control (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Rhynchophorinae).
Boletín de Sanidad Vegetal - Plagas, 24(4), 737-748.