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Evaluating a semi-synthetic diet for rearing the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2011

H.Y. Al-Ayedh
H.Y. Al-Ayedh*
Affiliation:
Natural Resources and Environmental Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, PO Box 6086, Riyadh11442, Saudi Arabia
*
*E-mail: alayedh@kacst.edu.sa
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Abstract

Experiments were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a semi-synthetic diet developed from locally available ingredients in Saudi Arabia for the laboratory rearing of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. The diet was developed based on existing literature, in addition to screening for a number of ingredients from locally available materials. Maize flour, wheat flour, shredded date palm frond tissue and distilled water were chosen as the final ingredients for the diet. Red palm weevils were successfully reared on this semi-synthetic diet and these ingredients were found capable of supporting larval development. However, larval weight decreased on this diet. The larval growth rate on the semi-synthetic diet was comparable to the standard growth rate achieved on date palm. One additional larval instar was observed on the diet. No significant differences were observed in the tested behavioural parameters between females fed the semi-synthetic diet versus those fed the natural diet. In conclusion, red palm weevils can be successfully reared on this semi-synthetic diet, and further optimization of it is warranted.

Keywords

semi-synthetic dietred palm weevilRPWlaboratory rearing
Type
Research Paper
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 31 , Issue 1-2 , June 2011 , pp. 20 - 28
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2011

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