Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) is still the worst threat for palm trees worldwide. This weevil, native to Southeast Asia and Melanesia, has spread throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean basin over the last 25 years, being detected as well in America and Australia. R. ferrugineus can affect a large number of species, most belonging to the Arecaceae family. In their native areas the pest mainly affects the Coconut palm, Cocos nucifera L. However, in its spread to other continents, it has increased its host range, showing a strong preference for species of the Phoenix genera, such as P. canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud and P. dactylifera L. The management of this pest consists in several preventive and curative techniques: early detection, application of chemical or biological insecticides, destruction of infested plant material, mechanical sanitation, and a trapping system based on olfactory attractants. Because of the low efficacy of the aforementioned control measures, R. ferrugineus still causes major economic and landscape losses. In order to define aspects that have facilitated its rapid dispersal and contribute to improving its management, in the present thesis the effects of key aspects, such as vision and flight, which influence the mobility of R. ferrugineus, have been analysed. 1.1.3. Major diseases and pests There are many harmful agents for palm trees, both diseases and pests, and their occurrence varies depending on the species and the area. Among the main pathological agents of palm trees are the phytoplasms responsible for Lethal yellowing (LY) or Texas phoenix palm decline (TPPD). Other most harmful diseases are produced by fungi, such as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis (Kill & Maire) Malençon and F. oxysporum f. sp. canariensis Mercier & Louvet, Phytophthora palmivora Butler which causes the Bud rot, and Ceratocystis paradoxa (Dade) C. Moreau that produces Stem bleeding (Harrison Table 1.2. Hosts of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Family Species Agavaceae Agave americana L. Arecaceae Areca catechu L. Arecaceae Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr. Arecaceae Borassus flabellifer L. Arecaceae Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc. Arecaceae Calamus merrillii Becc. Arecaceae Caryota cumingii Lord. ex Mart. Arecaceae Caryota maxima Blume ex Mart. Arecaceae Cocos nucifera L. Arecaceae Corypha utan Lam. Arecaceae Elaeis guineensis Jacq. Arecaceae Howea forsteriana (F. Muell.) Becc. Arecaceae Livistona decora (W. Bull) Dowe Arecaceae Metroxylon sagu Rottb. Arecaceae Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud Arecaceae Phoenix dactylifera L. Arecaceae Phoenix sylvestris L. Arecaceae Roystonea regia (Kunth) O. F. Cook Arecaceae Sabal palmetto (Walt.) Lodd. Poaceae Saccharum officinarum L. Arecaceae Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H. Wendl Arecaceae Washingtonia filifera (Lindl.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.