Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0983
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0983
+44 1478 350008
Al-Eryan MAS, El-Ghariani IM, Ismail SS, Massry HAA, Salma A Al-Taeeb and Raheel S
Tobruk is a coastal city on the Mediterranean basin. Vegetation coverage of the city is a combination of wild vegetation spots, smallholder farms, landscapes and house backyards. Date palm is one of the most popular trees in these areas. The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv., (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was detected in Tobruk for the first time in January 2009.
In May 2009, 40 pheromone-kiromone traps were introduced by the Pest Control Center, Libyan Agriculture Ministry. Nineteen traps were placed at 19 smallholder farms inside Tobruk city. Forteen traps were placed at 14 small holder farms in a belt around the city. Seven traps were placed at 7 commercial palm farms at El-Gaghboob oasis to detect the red palm weevil. Data revealed that occurrence of adults was in center of Tobruk. Traps placed at Tobruk borders and El-Gaghboob oasis did not record any weevil adults.
According to the previous data, Libyan Ministry of Agriculture decided to burn all palms in the city, Burning Procedures started in August 2009. Palm trees were removed by winches and burned in a crematorium (burning place) inside marked infested zone. During removal and burning process, traps collected more adult weevils. After burning most palm trees, mean numbers of captured adults significantly reduced. Generally, detection and monitoring of red palm weevil should be undertaken in other places in Libya because of the possibility of invading from many neighboring countries.