Red Palm Weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus represents one of the most dangerous pests of several species of palms. It spread from its native range (southeastern Asia) to the Middle East and then to the Mediterranean. Preliminary laboratory observations carried out on a group of males and females of RPW showed differential distribution of activity during daylight. Then we performed a field study comparing the time of captures of RPW across native populations (Vietnam) and invasive ones (Italy and Greece). Time of captures was also recorded for Rhynchophorus vulneratus from Malaysia (its native range). Weevils were trapped via traps baited with aggregation pheromone, kept continuously active for at least 20 days. Trapping times were recorded, and individuals were sexed after capture. Circular summaries indicate that arrivals at all the sampled localities were non-random, often with one or two peaks of arrivals during daylight. However, the distribution of trapping times was not consistent across populations and probably represents an answer to local environmental conditions. © 2014 Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Firenze, Italia.
Daily activity and non-random occurrence of captures in the Asian palm weevils
Fanini L.
Primo
Formal Analysis
;Mazza G.
2014-01-01
Abstract
Red Palm Weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus represents one of the most dangerous pests of several species of palms. It spread from its native range (southeastern Asia) to the Middle East and then to the Mediterranean. Preliminary laboratory observations carried out on a group of males and females of RPW showed differential distribution of activity during daylight. Then we performed a field study comparing the time of captures of RPW across native populations (Vietnam) and invasive ones (Italy and Greece). Time of captures was also recorded for Rhynchophorus vulneratus from Malaysia (its native range). Weevils were trapped via traps baited with aggregation pheromone, kept continuously active for at least 20 days. Trapping times were recorded, and individuals were sexed after capture. Circular summaries indicate that arrivals at all the sampled localities were non-random, often with one or two peaks of arrivals during daylight. However, the distribution of trapping times was not consistent across populations and probably represents an answer to local environmental conditions. © 2014 Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Firenze, Italia.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
