Dear Dr Abdulaziz Mohammed Ahmed Al-Ajlan,

 

I am Dr Vassiliou from the Republic of Cyprus. Recently, we have detected a new pest in palms and we believe that is Rhynchophorus ferrigineus. The problem now is very serious as we firstly have estimated, because the pest is spread everywhere in the island. It is believed that has been imported from Egypt. I send you some photos just to let me know about the identity of the pest. I know that is difficult to identify a species through some pictures but I think RPW cannot be confused with other species.

Could you recommend anything regarding the control of the pest? The difference here in Cyprus is that the pest is not concentrated in  palm plantations but spread in houses´ backyards etc. So, the mass trapping here will be very difficult to implement. 

 

Thank you in advance

 

Sincerely Yours

 

Vassilis Vassiliou

 

Dr Vassilis A. Vassiliou
Agricultural Research Officer
Agricultural Research Institute
Plant Protection Section
P.O. Box 22016, 1516 Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel:+357 22 403205, Fax +357 22 316770
Mobile: + 357 99 305535
e-mail: vassilis@arinet.ari.gov.cy