Suggestions for a more effective pheromone trap to control red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), in date palm gardens

Relevant literature about the Integrated Management of Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), about the use of pheromone traps has been reviewed. It has been established that use of pheromone trap is the widely used and effective method for control through capturing and killing the weevils. Recently it has been found that the effectiveness of the traps increases if food-baited pheromone (4-methyl-5-nonanol) is used. Activity schedule of the weevils in date palm gardens during day as well as night has been discussed. The effects of the shapes and sizes of the traps and the installing height on the capture rate have been compared. The trap effectiveness has been analyzed in terms of number of weevils caught per trap per week. A newer type of food-baited pheromone trap and its method of installing have been suggested for better control of Red Palm Weevil.