Mendel, Z.; Voet, H.; Nazarian, I.; Dobrinin, S.; Ment, D. Comprehensive Analysis of Management Strategies for Red Palm Weevil in Date Palm Settings, Emphasizing Sensor-Based Infestation Detection. Agriculture2024, 14, 260.
Mendel, Z.; Voet, H.; Nazarian, I.; Dobrinin, S.; Ment, D. Comprehensive Analysis of Management Strategies for Red Palm Weevil in Date Palm Settings, Emphasizing Sensor-Based Infestation Detection. Agriculture 2024, 14, 260.
Mendel, Z.; Voet, H.; Nazarian, I.; Dobrinin, S.; Ment, D. Comprehensive Analysis of Management Strategies for Red Palm Weevil in Date Palm Settings, Emphasizing Sensor-Based Infestation Detection. Agriculture2024, 14, 260.
Mendel, Z.; Voet, H.; Nazarian, I.; Dobrinin, S.; Ment, D. Comprehensive Analysis of Management Strategies for Red Palm Weevil in Date Palm Settings, Emphasizing Sensor-Based Infestation Detection. Agriculture 2024, 14, 260.
Abstract
The red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) inflicts widespread damage in date palm plantations and urban settings, leading to stand loss and safety concerns, intensified by the economic and ecological burdens of synthetic preventive treatments. A novel approach emphasizes detecting weevil-infested palms through sensors and targeting control efforts at colonized trees. The study analyzes two datasets: field manager-reported results from settings with preventive pest control versus seismic sensor-monitored units. Sensor data translates into damage index values, exploring curative treatments, attack likelihood based on infestation history, and the impact of sensor-based management on infestation incidence decline. Findings reveal lower weevil infestation in urban areas and preventive-treated palm settings. A strong correlation exists between sensor indications and grower decisions in date plantations. Palms previously infested are more prone to the damage. Long-term sensor-based management significantly reduces weevil-affected palm numbers. The high infestation in sensor-equipped date palm settings stems from a gap between sensor-identified and preventively treated palms. Controlling weevils based on sensor indications aligns practically with grower curative treatments, preventing significant damage. Weevils target previously infested palms, optimizing pest control through a continuous strategy integrating sensor monitoring with prompt response treatments. This proves highly effective, offering a cost-efficient alternative to preventive treatment reliance.
Keywords
Red palm weevil; Rhynchophorus ferrugineus; date palm; plantations; ornamental palm; management; seismic sensors
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Insect Science
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
