ELUCIDATING BIOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT (NUTRITIONAL AND COLORING) MEDIATED CONTROL OF RED PALM WEEVIL (RHYNCHOPHORUS FERRUGINEUS)

Despite the severe relevance of Red Palm Weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus as an insect pest, the strategies applied to control it were poorly sufficient. Hence, this study tested the effects of using food bait pheromone traps (FBPTs) to control RPW. In this context, the experimental design used three types of baits (banana, date, and mixture) represented as (300 g banana, 300 g date, and 300 g mixture "150 g banana & 150 g date); three colors (red; white and black) and their combinations. They were checked once every two weeks to collect the samples caught and evaluate the efficiency roles in controlling RPW regarding the dynamic fluctuation and seasonal activity of RPW during 2021 at Taif governorate, Saudi Arabia. Data illuminated that the black color was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in attracting RPW, followed by red, and the lowest value was recorded at white color with the same bait. Notably, black traps containing date had the highest significance (P < 0.05), and the lowest was recorded in white traps containing bananas in attracting RPW. According to the presence of RPW throughout the year, the highest and lowest population densities were recorded during April and September, respectively. Remarkably, results exhibited a negative significant correlation between RPW mean population density and temperature, but there was a positive correlation between seasonal abundance and relative humidity. Interestingly, this study remarkably the pheromone traps with baits partially with data showed a significant effect in controlling RPW. Data showed that the dynamic fluctuation relationship of the red palm weevil and its relationship to some environmental factors have been changed during different seasons and peaks of weevil activity during spring and lowest during autumn.