MICROWAVE AS CONTROL METHOD FOR THE RED PALM WEEVIL, RHYNCHOPHORUS FERRUGINEUS OLIVIER (COLEOPTERA, CURCULIONIDAE)

Document Type : Original Article

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Plant Protection Research institute

Abstract

The Red Palm Weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier is considered one of the most dangerous pests that destroy palm trees. The extensive use of chemical agents to control it has led to environmental pollution. Consequently, this study aimed to shed insight into the practice of alternate approaches to eliminate this pest. The experiments were conducted using a home microwave, as well as a modified microwave device consisting of 2 or 4 magnetron units. The microwave was used to study the effectiveness against eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults in the laboratory and semi-field to calculate mortality percentages and to determine the efficiency of the lowest energy level, and the suitable exposure time that highly reduced all weevil stages. The results showed that there was no hatching process of eggs exposed for 15, 20, and 30 seconds at different power levels, but hatching occurred in eggs exposed for 10 seconds. It was also noted that the higher the energy level, the lower the egg-hatching rate. In the case of larvae, it was observed that there was a direct relationship between the size of larvae, energy levels, & exposure time, and mortality percentages. Also, concerning pupae and adult stages, the same relationship was found between the reduction percentages, energy levels, and exposure durations. Respectable control results for insect stages were recorded with modified microwaves in semi-field experiments. The longer the exposure time, the greater the reduction percentages of weevil stages without differences between devices having 2 or 4 magnetron units.

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