The red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) is the most serious pest of Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud) and date palms (Phoenix dactilifera L.). Early infestations of this invasive weevil are difficult to detect under field conditions. The adults are very elusive and not visible inside the dense frond of the palms. Efficient methods for detecting this pest are needed for its successful management under field conditions and in particular at ports of entry to avoid its' spreading via infested imported palms. The present study evaluated the ability of Rottweiler and Golden Retriever dogs (Canis familiaris L.) to detect Canary island palms that were baited with RPW adults or larvae under field conditions. During these experiments, the dogs successfully detected 78% of the baits hidden in the crown of the palms. These encouraging results need to be confirmed by evaluation the performance of sniffing dogs in detection of naturally infested palms of different species.

The use of the sniffing dogs for the detection of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae)

SUMA, POMPEO;
2014-01-01

Abstract

The red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) is the most serious pest of Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud) and date palms (Phoenix dactilifera L.). Early infestations of this invasive weevil are difficult to detect under field conditions. The adults are very elusive and not visible inside the dense frond of the palms. Efficient methods for detecting this pest are needed for its successful management under field conditions and in particular at ports of entry to avoid its' spreading via infested imported palms. The present study evaluated the ability of Rottweiler and Golden Retriever dogs (Canis familiaris L.) to detect Canary island palms that were baited with RPW adults or larvae under field conditions. During these experiments, the dogs successfully detected 78% of the baits hidden in the crown of the palms. These encouraging results need to be confirmed by evaluation the performance of sniffing dogs in detection of naturally infested palms of different species.
2014
palm weevil, ; early detection,; sniffing dogs,; Phoenix canariensis
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Suma et al 2013.pdf

solo gestori archivio

Tipologia: Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza: Non specificato
Dimensione 386.65 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
386.65 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/13810
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 38
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 29
social impact