Impact of Neem Extracts, Azadirachta indica A. Juss Induced against Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) Attacking Date Palm Orchards in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Wood borers and Termites, Plant Protection Research Institute

2 Central Laboratory for Date Palm Research and Development, Agricultural Research Centre Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

Red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus
ferrugineus
(Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is considered to be the
most devastating boring pest attacking the date palm trees, Phoenix dactylifera
L. (Arecales: Arecaceae). During this study the date palm orchards were
investigated at Ismailia governorate in Egypt to throughout 2015-2016 and
results revealed the wide distribution of RPW with high infestation rates at
the visited localities. Rates and degrees of infestation were detected through
the attacked spots showing a direct proportional rate with the total planted
date palm trees in each location recording a highest infestation rate of 91.6%
and a maximum infestation degree was 3.4 hole/ tree. Least average infestation
levels were 14.9% and 1.19 hole/ tree. Extracts of neem seeds, Azadirachta indica A. Juss(Sapindales:
Meliaceae)
were tested in the laboratory against the RPW stages using organic solvents in
addition to the commercial Nemazal brand as a comparison treatment. Laboratory
experiments revealed a potential effect of the used titers againstboth adult and larval R. ferrugineus stagesresulting in high mortality rates reached 85.4 and 79.5%
on average for larval and adult stages, respectively. Consequent field trials
with such agents were conducted on both remedial and protective scales
revealing a considerable reduction of infestation was 60.8% and 53.1% repellency
on average for all applied treatments. Field trials proved the possibility of
those treatments usage in the control programs of that borer in Egypt.

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