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