Sustainable Management of the Red Palm Weevil: The Nexus between Farmers’ Adoption of Integrated Pest Management and Their Knowledge of Symptoms

Abstract

The red palm weevil (RPW) (Rhynchophorus ferruginous) is one of the most serious pest insects threatening the sustainability of the date palm sector (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Nevertheless, a gap exists in the body of knowledge regarding patterns in farmers’ adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) for RPW control and how their knowledge of RPW symptomology influences IPM adoption. Data were collected using structured questionnaires from 183 palm growers in Al-Ahsa Governorate, Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that most farmers had insufficient knowledge to visually diagnose RPW symptoms and damage. Farmers moderately adopted preventive measures recommended for protection from RPW infestation. Only 13.11% of the farmers exhibited a high rate of adoption of pest management practices for RPW control and eradication. The findings revealed a strong positive association (0.8, p < 0.01) between the knowledge level regarding symptoms and IPM adoption level, whereby the respondents with more knowledge of RPW symptoms showed a higher level of adoption in all IPM categories. This study contributes to the development of our understanding of the social behaviors and risks associated with RPW. This might enhance the quality of awareness campaigns and extension programs and assist in developing a visual inspection protocol for RPW infestation for farmers.

Perspectives for Synergic Blends of Attractive Sources in South American Palm Weevil Mass Trapping: Waiting for the Red Palm Weevil Brazil Invasion

“…The basis is wide enough for research and technology transfer that will quickly turn to sustainability and environmentally safe control tools if the stakeholders learn the IPM rationale lesson [ 124 ].…”

An Assessment of the Efficacy of Pheromone Traps in Managing the Red Palm Weevil

“…These trees are killed once infested, resulting in enormous losses of sustainable income The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is recognized as one of the most valuable commercial fruit species in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as its social importance and heritage prestige (Chao and Krueger, 2007). Coleopteran weevils attack a diverse range of palm species across the globe (Kassem, et al, 2020). The red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) is one of the biggest threats facing palm agriculture today.…”

“…than 12 ha, and with moderate to severe infestation and between 10 to 15 years of age were considered for this experiment. Date palms under the age of 20 are typically the most affected, with most of the infestation being limited to the trunk at a height of one meter above ground (Kassem, et al, 2020).…”

“…In addition, the male-released aggregation pheromone might attract more female weevils than males. RPW females lay about 250-350 eggs within the palm tissue (Kassem, et al, 2020), and the offspring will be spread from an infested tree to infest others in few months. A significant number of date palms can be destroyed by R. ferrugineus in a short period of time due to the insects' fecundity and dispersal capacity.…”

“…There are many preventive and curative strategies for controlling RPW populations: early detection, use of pesticides, removal of severely-infested palms, mechanical sanitation, and utilization of pheromonefood-bait traps (Al-Dosary, et al, 2016;Kassem, et al, 2020). Due to the poor effectiveness of the control measures mentioned above, this insect still causes substantial losses to the economy and landscape (Faleiro, et al, 2019).…”