Pheromone Traps

Pheromone for Trapping Red Palm Weevil

      The insect  Rhynchophorus ferrugieneus (Red Palm Weevil) constitute a major pest of coconut, sago, date, oil palms and other palms and has become severe problem in coconut production in southern Asia, Melanesia, North Africa and even Southern Europe.   This insect produces a pheromone, which gives a specific sign to attract other individuals of its species. This pheromone is isolated from the Red Palm Weevil and synthetically made to monitor the presence of the insect or to trap the insect in palm gardens. The active ingredient of the Pheromone is ferrugineol  (4-methyl 5-nonanol) which is available in crystal form is packed and   sealed in  plastic dispensers. This plastic dispensers  release the hormone 3 to 10mg per day and last for six to seven months.

Use of Pheromone for trapping red palm weevil is an eco-friendly method and has three distinct objectives. 1.  To monitor weevil activity and detect its presence if any, in pest free areas. 2.  To mass trap weevils if weevil population is high. 3.  To assess the population levels of the weevil.

An experimental was conducted by Dept of Entomology (Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani in association with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai to find out the most suited Pheromone lure under Kerala conditions and to examine their field durability and showed that the Tripheron supplied by GKFC out numbered other formulations in attracting the weevils.