Horticultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Pechiparai, 629 161, India.
The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. is a dreadful pest that attacks coconut palm in India and many other countries in South and South East Asia. The infestation by the weevil is more predominant in younger plantations between the age group of 5 and 20 years. The female weevil commences oviposition 1 to 7 days after pairing and continues to oviposit upto 25 to 63 days laying about 275 eggs. Presence of cocoons and weevils on chewed up fibers in leaf axils or at the bottom of the palm on the ground provides indication for the presence of the pest. Effective control of the pest can be achieved through an integrated pest management approach. Care should be taken to see that infected palms especially those between the age group of 5 and 30 years that are cut for different purposes should be properly disposed off because these fallen and cut stems facilitate the profuse breeding of the weevil. Trapping and killing adult weevils help to reduce weevil population in an area. Root feeding of monocrotophos 10ml+10ml water affords good protection.
