Author(s):

VR Saminathan, S Mathiyalagan and K Geetha

Abstract: Red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Rhynchophoridae) and Rhinoceros beetle Oryctes rhinoceros Linn. (Coleoptera: Dynastidae) are most destructive pests in young coconut palms. As application of insecticides and implementation of mechanical or physical methods of pest management are very difficult, use of pheromone technology is the best option in coconut garden. To create awareness about this technology, front line demonstrations were conducted by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Vamban during 2013-14 in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu. Rhinoceros beetle trap with rhinolure and red palm weevil trap with ferrolure were erected in the established coconut garden. In six months period, 362 rhinoceros beetles and 266 red palm weevils were trapped in respective traps. At the end of six months, per cent trees with red palm weevil symptoms and rhinoceros beetle symptoms were 24.28 and 15.71 in demonstration and 44.28 and 22.80 in control respectively. Demonstration plot had 21.72 per cent yield increase over control. Net return was Rs. 86,150 in demonstration with BCR of 3.28 as against Rs. 66,190 with BCR of 2.85 in control. The pheromone trap based control measures demonstrated in the coconut garden significantly reduced the tree damage and new infestation was very minimum besides increased yield and income.

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