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Evaluation of the efficacy of Steinernema carpocapsae in a chitosan formulation against the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, in Phoenix canariensis

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Abstract

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), is an important pest of palms. It has recently colonized the Mediterranean Basin, where it is a serious problem on ornamental Phoenix canariensis (Chabaud) palms. The efficacy of Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) in a chitosan formulation (Biorend R®) against this weevil in a semi-field trial including both preventative and curative assays has been studied. Our results prove the potential of this nematode to control R. ferrugineus. Efficacies around 80% were obtained in the curative assay, and up to 98% in the preventative treatment. Applications repeated every 2–3 weeks during the critical flight periods could prove effective to protect palms from this weevil in the Mediterranean Basin.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank A. Urbaneja (IVIA) for critically reviewing an earlier version of this paper and the palm nurserymen association ASFPLANT for providing the palms used in these assays. This research was partly funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project TRT2006-00016-C07-05) and the IVIA (project 5611).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut Valencià d’Investigacions Agràries (IVIA), Centre de Protecció Vegetal i Biotecnologia, Unitat Associada d’Entomologia Agrícola UJI-IVIA, Ctra. Montcada-Nàquera km 4.5, 46113, Montcada, Spain

    E. Llácer

  2. Idebio S. L., Polígono Industrial el Montalvo, Calle Bell 3, 37008, Salamanca, Spain

    M. M. Martínez de Altube

  3. Departament de Ciències Agràries i del Medi Natural, Unitat Associada d’Entomologia Agrícola UJI-IVIA, Universitat Jaume I, Campus del Riu Sec, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain

    J. A. Jacas

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  1. E. Llácer
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  2. M. M. Martínez de Altube
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  3. J. A. Jacas
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Correspondence to E. Llácer.

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Handling Editor: Ralf Ehlers.

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Llácer, E., Martínez de Altube, M.M. & Jacas, J.A. Evaluation of the efficacy of Steinernema carpocapsae in a chitosan formulation against the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, in Phoenix canariensis . BioControl 54, 559–565 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-008-9208-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-008-9208-3

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