Validating Area-wide Management of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Date Plantations of Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia

A pheromone based area-wide red palm weevil (RPW)-Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy in Al-Hassa was validated in 15 operational areas comprising of more than 4000 ha (>35% of the area with over 1.08 million palms) for six months from April to September, 2011 based on mean monthly values for weevil captures in foodbaited pheromone (ferrugineol) traps, infestation levels and eradication of severely infested palms. Results revealed that mean monthly weevil captures were significantly different in the 15 operational areas sampled, but were statistically at par in the three major zones (Centre, North and East) of the oasis where monthly weevil captures per trap were 3.31, 3.50 and 1.70, respectively. Infestation levels in the operational areas as well as the three zones varied significantly and were found to be well below the 1% action threshold in the East of the oasis, nearing 1% in the Centre while being well above the threshold (1% infestation) in the North. The IPM strategy adopted had the desired impact in the East, but needs minor adjustments in the Centre and calls for major reinforcement in the North of the Al-Hassa oasis.