Some inorganic salts for production of sterile adults of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferruginous (Coleoptera:Curculionidae)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Pests and Plant Protection Dept. Naional Research Center, Cairo ,Egypt.

Abstract

Fifteen inorganic salts were evaluated as possible sterilants against the Red Palm Weevil (RPW) Rhynchophprus ferrugineus, by applying the pupal dipping method in a screening program. Results showed that all tested salts adversely affected the adult emergence and reduced the egg laying capacity and egg hatchability. Among the tested salts a (oH)2, kOH, Licl2,cucl2 ZnO4, kBr and KI various gave 100% percent sterility at the tested non toxic concentration under different pupal dipping periods. Percentage of sterility increased with the increase of the concentration and the dipping period. All other salts induced degrees of sterility ranging from 10 to 78%.

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