Bio-ecology and integrated management of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in the region of Valencia (Spain)

The invasive red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is one of the most destructive pests of palms in the world. It is widely distributed in all continents and has been reported on 26 palm species belonging to 16 different genera. In the Mediterranean basin, R. ferrugineus has become the major pest of palms, mainly Phoenix canariensis hort. ex Chabaud, an endemic palm to the Canary Islands widely used as ornamental. In this manuscript we summarize the research that the UJI-IVIA Unit has carried out on this pest. The first objective of our work was to determine different bio-ecological parameters of R. ferrugineus under natural conditions in a Mediterranean climate. Washingtonia filifera is the only palm species included in our studies showing mechanisms of complete resistance against R. ferrugineus. Although Chamaerops humilis and Phoenix theophrasti show antixenotic and antibiotic mechanisms of resistance, respectively, they cannot be considered as resistant against R. ferrugineus. Under Mediterranean climate, the preimaginal development of R. ferrugineus in P. canariensis takes 666.5 DD and the weevil can complete 13 larval instars. Based on the results obtained, less than one generation per year can be expected in areas with a mean annual temperature (MAT) below 15ºC and more than two in those with MAT above 19ºC. Oviposition in R. ferrugineus is also strongly affected by temperature. The thresholds for oviposition and egg hatching obtained are very close to MAT registered in most of the northern shore of the Mediterranean basin. Under these circumstances, no new infestations would be expected during most of the winter. The second objective has been to improve chemical and biological control. Both imidacloprid and Steinernema carpocapsae in a chitosan formulation are highly effective against R. ferrugineus in the field. Different timings and product combinations were studied, and high efficacies were obtained in all cases. An indigenous strain of Beauveria bassiana, found naturally infecting pupae of R. ferrugineus, resulted highly virulent against all developmental stages of the weevil in the laboratory. Additionally, adults of either sex inoculated with the fungus efficiently transmitted the disease to healthy adults of the opposite sex and this result confirmed the potential of B. bassiana as a biological control agent against this pest. These results should help developing an integrated management program against this pest.The UJI-IVIA-CIB/CSIC group has received financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCINN projects TRT2006-00016-C07-01 and AGL2008-05287 -C04/AGR) and the Valencian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (CAPA, project IVIA-5611). Ó. Dembilio was recipient of a predoctoral grant from IVIA

Aprendizaje cooperativo e higiene de manos en estudiantes de enfermería

Objective. The study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on cooperative learning on the acquisition of knowledge and skills on hand washing. In addition, the interest and self-perception was studied of the participants on the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Methods. This was a pre-post intervention study with 49 students from the second course of the Nursing degree, evaluating: i) acquisition of knowledge with an ad hoc questionnaire; ii) skills on hand washing by conducting the technique with reagent solution and verifcation with fluorescent lamp; and iii) interest and self-perception of the importance of acquiring knowledge and skills with specifc questions. Results. The mean age was 21.8 years, 83.7% were women, and 32.6% had prior studies related with health. Signifcant post-intervention improvement was evident in the level of knowledge (p<0.001) and skills (p<0.001). Interest for the intervention (m=4.1±0.6) and perception on the acquisition of knowledge (m=4.4±0.6) and skills (m=4.3±0.5) were scored high (scale from 1 to 5). Conclusion. The cooperative learning intervention improved knowledge and skills on hand washing in nursing students and awakened their interest.Objetivo. Evaluar la efectividad de una intervención educativa basada en el aprendizaje cooperativo sobre la adquisición de conocimientos y habilidades en lavado de manos. Métodos. Estudio pre-posintervención realizado con la participación de 49 estudiantes de segundo curso de grado en enfermería. Se evaluaron los siguientes aspectos: i) adquisición de conocimientos con un cuestionario ad hoc, ii) habilidades en lavado de manos mediante la realización de la técnica con solución reactiva y verifcación con lámpara fluorescente, y iii) interés y autopercepción de la importancia de adquisición de conocimientos y habilidades con preguntas específcas. Resultados. La edad media fue 21.8 años, 83.7% mujeres y el 32.6% tenía estudios previos relacionados con salud. Hubo una mejoría signifcativa postintervención en el nivel de conocimientos (p<0.001) y habilidades (p<0.001). El interés por la intervención (m=4.1±0.6) y la percepción sobre la adquisición de conocimientos (m=4.4±0.6) y habilidades (m=4.3±0.5) se califcaron como elevados (escala de 1 a 5). Conclusión. La intervención de aprendizaje cooperativo mejoró los conocimientos y habilidades sobre lavado de manos en estudiantes de enfermería, además, despertó su interés

Development of an attract-and-infect system to control Rhynchophorus ferrugineus with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Dembilio, Ó. , Moya, P. , Vacas, S. , Ortega‐García, L. , Quesada‐Moraga, E. , Jaques, J. A. and Navarro‐Llopis, V. (2018), Development of an attract‐and‐infect system to control Rhynchophorus ferrugineus with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. Pest. Manag. Sci, 74: 1861-1869., which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4888. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving[EN] BACKGROUNDA new Beauveria bassiana-based attract and infect device (AID) to control Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was developed. The virulence and persistence of the fungal formulation used in the AID were evaluated in the laboratory. Semi-field and field trials were carried out to validate the results and establish the potential of this device as a control tool. RESULTSIn laboratory conditions, a 50% lethal time (LT50) of 4.33 days was obtained when adults (7-10 days old) were exposed to the inoculation tunnel (IT) containing 1 x 10(10) conidia g(-1) in an oil-based fungal formulation. This formulation maintained conidium viability at 50% for up to 2 months. Moreover, when adults were exposed to 2.5-month field-aged ITs, mortality still reached 50% 40 days after exposure. In addition, no differences were observed between ITs aged in early spring and those aged in summer, suggesting that the fungal formulation is not strongly affected by environmental factors in Mediterranean basin conditions. Semi-field assays showed that the device allowed an easy transit of weevils through the IT, which were effectively attracted and infected. Using the AIDs in 4-ha plot field trials, a reduction of >50% in the percentage of infested sentinel palms was obtained. CONCLUSIONBased on the results obtained in terms of the efficacy and persistence of this new AID in the field and its potential in reducing R. ferrugineus populations and palm infestation, this device could become a key tool for the management of R. ferrugineus. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical IndustryWe wish to thank Manuel Piquer, Juan Argente and Carlos Campos for their assistance with many parts of this work, Cuca Orero for providing the trial field at Sagunt, and Jose Sancho from Sansan Prodesing SL for providing prototype solutions for the infective trap. The research that has led to these results received funding from the 7th European Union Framework Programme with Grant Agreement no. FP7 KBBE 2011-5-289566 (PALM PROTECT).Dembilio, O.; Moya Sanz, MDP.; Vacas, S.; Ortega-García, L.; Quesada-Moraga, E.; Jaques, J.; Navarro-Llopis, V. (2018). Development of an attract-and-infect system to control Rhynchophorus ferrugineus with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. Pest Management Science. 74(8):1861-1869. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4888S1861186974

Field efficacy of Imidacloprid and Steinernema carpocapsae in a chitosan formulation against the Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Phoenix canariensis

BACKGROUND: The invasive red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), has become the major pest of palms in the Mediterranean Basin. Chemical control against this species is difficult because of its cryptic habits and is mainly based on the repeated application of large quantities of synthetic insecticides. The aim of this work has been to evaluate in the field the efficacy of imidacloprid (Confidor 240 OD) and Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser with chitosan (Biorend R Palmeras) as soil and stipe treatments respectively, alone or in combination, against this pest. RESULTS: All treatments significantly reduced the mean number of immature stages of R. ferrugineus per palm. However, there were no significant differences among the different treatments considered. Efficacies ranged from 83.8 to 99.7% for the mean number of immature stages found in the palms and resulted in a significant increase in palm survival compared with the untreated control (75.0–90.0% versus 16.5% respectively). CONCLUSION: Both imidacloprid and S. carpocapsae in a chitosan formulation proved highly effective against R. ferrugineus in the field, and their efficacies did not significantly change when used in combinatio

Could Plant Hormones Provide a Reliable Tool for Early Detection of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleóptera: Curculionidae) Infested Palms?

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most important pest of palms worldwide. A serious management problem is the difficulty of detecting early infestation stages, which is critical for successful control. Our main objective has been to characterize the metabolic response of Phoenix canariensis hort. ex Chabaud to R. ferrugineus injury to identify candidate biomarkers for early detection. Mechanical wounding and R. ferrugineus infestation resulted in different patterns of plant hormone and secondary metabolite production: SA and caffeic acid concentrations increased by several orders of magnitude following R. ferrugineus development within the palm 7 days after infestation. These compounds did not change in mechanically wounded palms. Therefore, these substances could be further exploited as early warning signs of infestation

Ground-covers affect the activity density of ground-dwelling predators and their impact on the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata

Three developmental stages of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), can be found in the soil (late third instar larvae, pupae, and teneral adults). These stages are susceptible to predation by generalist ground-dwelling predators. Our objectives have been to investigate the association between ground cover management (bare soil, a seeded cover of Festuca arundinacea and a mulch of straw), the emergence success of C. capitata, and the activity density of the most important groups of ground-dwelling predators (spiders, beetles, ants and earwigs). As expected, C. capitata emergence was lower in a seeded cover of Festuca arundinacea (FA) and a mulch of straw (M) (10.2%) relative to bare soil (BS) (13.2%). This was related to higher diversity and activity density of ground-dwelling predators in FA and M compared to BS. The contribution of the ground-dwelling predators considered in this study to this reduction highlights the key role of beetles, earwigs and, to a lesser extent, ants, while the contribution of the most abundant group of ground-dwelling predators, spiders, remains unclear. Ground covers appear as a strong and sustainable conservation biological control method that should be taken into consideration for the management of C. capitata populations.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Jaume IOpen Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. Financial support has been provided by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Program for Research and Innovation grant number 818184 (FF-IPM) and PRIMA grant number 1812 (PLANT-B).We thank M. Piquer (UJI) and A. Benages (COCALNI, Cooperativa Citrícola de Les Alqueries) for technical support and provision of the experimental orchard, respectively. Financial support has been provided by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Program for Research and Innovation grant number 818184 (FF-IPM) and PRIMA grant number 1812 (PLANT-B)

Eficacia y fitotoxicidad a corto y largo plazo del fosfuro de aluminio contra el picudo rojo de las palmeras sobre ejemplares de palmeras canarias vivas

El picudo rojo de las palmeras, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, es un curculiónido nativo del sureste asiático que se ha extendido por todo el mundo debido, principalmente, al movimiento no intencionado de plantas infestadas. Como resultado, esta especie se ha convertido en la plaga más destructiva de palmeras a nivel mundial. La enorme dificultad que conlleva detectar los primeros síntomas de infestación debido a los hábitos crípticos de esta plaga, ha provocado que muchos paises pongan en práctica estrictas normas cuarentenarias en la pre y post entrada de palmeras con el fin de evitar su propagación. Sin embargo, aún no existen protocolos cuarentenarios que permitan asegurar que las palmeras no estén infestadas por este insecto. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la eficacia del fosfuro de aluminio, comno tratamiento cuarentenario seguro, contra diferentes estados de desarrollo de R. ferrugineus y comprobar los posibles efectos fitotóxicos producidos por este gas en palmeras canarias vivas. Nuestros resultados confirman que una dosis de 1,14 g metro/cúbico durante 2 días es suficiente para eliminar todos los estados de desarrollo del picudo en palmeras canarias vivas, no observando efectos fitotóxicos sobre las mismas durante un año después del tratamiento. Este procedimiento, se podría aplicar fácilmente en contenedores cerrados utilizados para la exportación de palmeras, pudiendo reducir drásticamente los riesgos asociados al tránsito de palmeras en todo el mundo

Compatibility of soil application of Metarhizium brunneum and cover crops against Ceratitis capitata soil-dwelling stages

Fruit fly ground-dwelling stages (late third instar larvae, pupae, and teneral adults) are susceptible to predation from generalist ground-dwelling predators and to infection by entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). The effect of predators can be enhanced with cover crops and that of EPF by augmentative releases. However, whether these two biological control methods could be combined has not been studied under field conditions yet. Here, we studied in the field whether the enhanced activity of predators against the medfly, Ceratitis capitata, already observed in a Lolium arundinaceum ground cover could be impaired by a soil application of Metarhizium brunneum. Our results show that C. capitata adult emergence was reduced by this EPF for up to three months after fungal application, with the combination of the cover and M. brunneum being the most effective at reducing C. capitata emergence relative to bare soil (92.5% reduction). Although M. brunneum reduced the activity density of ground-dwelling predatory beetles up to 93 days after application, it showed no clear negative effects on earwigs, no effects on spiders, and a positive effect on ants up to 65 days after application. Therefore, the combined use of a ground cover of L. arundinaceum and M. brunneum against the soil-dwelling stages of C. capitata seems to work synergistically and appears as a strong and sustainable control tactic against the medfly and other fruit orchard pests.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Jaume