Behaviour‐modifying compounds for management of the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliver)

BACKGROUND: Populations of red palm weevil (RPW), a severe pest of palms in Mediterranean countries, might be limited by semiochemical‐based behaviour‐disrupting methods. We evaluated the effects of electroantennogram (EAG)‐active plant volatiles on the behaviour of RPWs from Italy and Israel. In field experiments, α‐pinene, citronellol, geraniol, citral and 1‐octen‐3‐ol were tested for their ability to disrupt attraction to pheromone–kairomone and molasses baited traps. Those that were found to be disruptive in the field were evaluated in a laboratory choice bioassay in individual cages for their effect on RPW female feeding and oviposition. RESULTS: Field experiments showed reduced captures in traps loaded with geraniol (−57%), 1‐octen‐3‐ol (−50%) or α‐pinene (−45% to −60%); captures in citronellol‐ or citral‐loaded traps did not differ from control. In laboratory experiments, 1‐octen‐3‐ol was the most potent behaviour‐modifying compound, eliciting a significant/marginally significant reduction in both feeding and oviposition at the lowest dose tested in both populations. Geraniol generally caused a strong reduction in feeding and oviposition at each dose tested (Israel), or at the highest dose (Italy). α‐Pinene caused some reduction in feeding activity at the highest dose tested (Italy), but no consistent repellency (Israel). CONCLUSION: Field and laboratory data suggest the potential for the use of 1‐octen‐3‐ol, geraniol and α‐pinene for RPW population management. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry