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Systematicity, persistence and efficacy of selected insecticides used in endotherapy to control the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) on Phoenix canariensis

Phytoparasitica volume 48, pages 75–85 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

The control of the invasive red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) is a challenge. This pest has a cryptic behavior, as it achieves most of its life cycle within host tissues, where larval instars are endophytic and are out of reach from insecticides applied as cover sprays. In order to increase the efficacy of chemical control, stem injection technique, known also as endotherapy, has been implemented and recommended as an alternative approach, which requires the use of highly systemic and persistent insecticides. In this paper, we report the results of endotherapy essays carried out on ornamental palm trees, Phoenix canariensis Chabaud in Carthage, Tunis (Tunisia) and Catania, Sicily (Italy), between 2015 and 2018, using thiamethoxam, emamectin benzoate and imidacloprid. The mobility, persistence and efficacy of these insecticides were evaluated. We found that emamectin benzoate is more systemic and persistent (up to 5 months) in palm tissues than thiamethoxam and imidacloprid. Maximum residues of emamectin benzoate (1.87 mg\kg) were detected in leaf base samples, 10 days after its injection. Residues of imidacloprid were detected 10 days after application (0.194 mg\kg), with a maximum (0.277 mg\kg) registered 2 months after its injection with a persistence period up to 3 months. Residues of thiamethoxam were detected (0.123 mg\kg) only once, 10 days after application. Then values were below the limit of detection (0.1 mg\kg). Field essays with selected insecticides applied as preventive and curative endotherapy treatments showed that emamectin benzoate is able to protect palm trees from RPW infestation up to 9 months.

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Acknowledgments

This study was partly supported by the University of Catania in the framework of the research project “Emergent pests and pathogens and relative sustainable stratergies-5A722192113. Financial support from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nation (UN) to purchase palm trees for the experiments carried out in Sicily, is also gratefully acknowledged. We thank Dr. Noureddine Nasr, Plant Production and Protection Officer in FAO-Subregional Office for North Africa for his support in accomplishing this work. Thanks go also to Mr. Abdelkader Fatnassi for his help and financial support. Mohamed Lahbib Ben Jamaa (Ministry of Agriculture of Tunisia) allowed us to access to the Laboratory of Control and Analyzes of Pesticides. Sabrine Chihaoui-Meridja received a grant from the Tunisian Ministry of High Education and Scientific Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Entomology and Acarology, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, University of Carthage, 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082, City Mahrajene, Tunis, Tunisia

    Sabrine Chihaoui-Meridja & Hanene Chaabane

  2. Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 100, 95123, Catania, Italy

    Sabrine Chihaoui-Meridja, Alessandra La Pergola & Pompeo Suma

  3. High Agronomic Institute of Chott-Mariem, Department of Biological Sciences and Plant Protection, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

    Ahlem Harbi, Khaled Abbes & Brahim Chermiti

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  1. Sabrine Chihaoui-Meridja
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Correspondence to Brahim Chermiti.

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Chihaoui-Meridja, S., Harbi, A., Abbes, K. et al. Systematicity, persistence and efficacy of selected insecticides used in endotherapy to control the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790) on Phoenix canariensis. Phytoparasitica 48, 75–85 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-019-00776-5

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