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Palm Weevil Pheromones – Discovery and Use

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Abstract

Male-produced aggregation pheromones of seven major pest species of weevils in the subfamily Rhynchophorinae have been identified as a closely related set of methyl-branched secondary alcohols. Although the weevils produce only one stereoisomer of these alcohols, no instances of isomeric inhibition have been observed, enabling stereoisomeric mixtures to be used in traps. Addition of fermenting plant material to traps synergizes attraction of weevils to the pheromones. The weevils are large, have long life cycles, and are strong fliers. These characteristics make mass trapping a suitable tactic to add to existing management strategies. When coupled with good phytosanitary practices, mass trapping of Rhynchophorus palmarum at 1 trap/5-ha significantly lowered the incidence of red ring nematode infection vectored by the weevil in commercial oil palm plantations in the Americas. Similarly, trap densities of 1–10 traps/ha have significantly lowered R. ferrugineus infestation of date palm throughout the Middle East. Although management of R. ferrugineus in urban areas is more problematic, trapping is an integral part of most programs aimed at protection of ornamental Canary palms in Europe. Overall, semiochemically-based management of these large weevils is now a mature and usually economically feasible control technology.

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Acknowledgments

The work described in this article spanned two decades and involved many research and operational contributors. The author wishes to especially acknowledge the contributions of Drs. John Borden, Gerhard and Regine Gries, Rebecca Hallett, Alice Perez, and Harold Pierce, Jr. of Simon Fraser University, and Tom Weissling and Robin Giblin-Davis of the University of Florida during identification and field testing of the pheromones and attractants. Trap optimization and operational implementation of R. palmarum trapping was only possible because of the knowledge and support of Drs. D. L. Richardson and Carlos Chinchilla of Palma Tica. The author also wishes to express his gratitude to Dr. Romeno Faleiro for many discussions in which the author was provided with insight into weevil behavior and IPM analysis. The entire two decade journey would not have been possible without the advice and support of my wife Lilliana Gonzalez.

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    A. C. Oehlschlager

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Oehlschlager, A.C. Palm Weevil Pheromones – Discovery and Use. J Chem Ecol 42, 617–630 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-016-0720-0

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