Preliminary study in the use of electric current for the control of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

PDF
Published: Nov 8, 2014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/eh.11536
Keywords:
Electric current Palm trees Rhynchophorus ferrugineus
Kostas Niamouris
Freelancer Agronomist, 28 Anthemiou str, 71306 Heraklion
Panagiota Psirofonia
Laboratory of Agricultural Pharmacology, School of Agricultural Technology, Technological Education Institute οf Crete, PO BOX 1939, 71004 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Abstract

The use of electric current is being studied as a method to control Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The infested palm trees were pruned according to the severity of the infestation (heavy infestation requires more intense pruning). Then, electrolytes were injected into the palm trees to elevate conductivity. Electric current of specific voltage and amperage was coursed through the palm trees, using specifically designed electrodes; Electric current was applied for 20 min to 1 hour depending on the severity of the infestation and the size of the palm tree. A small number of palm trees were shocked, some of which were monitored for side effects due to the shock while others were cut down to monitor pest mortality rates. Larvae were collected and placed in entomological cages. A large percentage of larvae were killed after the shock, while the others showed difficulties in their movement. Six days later 84.78 % of larvae and 96.48 % of pupae were killed but practically all of the adults survived. Electric current has never been used in this way to control insects before.

Article Details
  • Section
  • Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons 4.0 license.

Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g. post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (preferably in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.

Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
EPPO, 2008. Data sheets on quarantine pests: Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. OEPP/EPPO Bull. 38: 55–59.
Faleiro, J.R., P.A. Rangnekar and V.R. Satarkar. 2003. Age and fecundity of female red palm weevils Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Rhynchophoridae) captured by pheromone traps in coconut plantations of India. Crop Prot. 22: 999- 1002.
Kontodimas, D., D. Economou, N. Thymakis, C. Menti and M. Anagnou – Veroniki. 2006. New important pest of palm trees, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Dryophthorinae). Agric. Livest. Farm. 1: 54-57. [in Greek].
Kontodimas, D.C., P.G. Milonas, V. Vassiliou, N. Thymakis and D. Economou. 2006. The occurrence of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Greece and Cyprus and the risk against the native Greek palm tree Phoenix theophrasti. Entomol. Hell. 16: 11-15.
Most read articles by the same author(s)