Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Analysis of the spread of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in an urban area, using GIS techniques: a study case in Central Italy

  • Published:
Urban Ecosystems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The spread of the red palm weevil is now a very severe problem on a global scale. In this paper, we investigate its spread during the 2007–2013 period in a coastal urban area characterized by a high density of palm trees, and discuss the application of a new approach to data collection and processing. While most works on the spread of the red palm weevil are based upon geo-referenced traps, we focused on the health of each palm, considering the surrounding territorial context. To this end, we used historical aerial photos, freely available remote sensing images and field surveys, integrated in a GIS environment to analyze the extent and mode of pest spread over time. Our results show that the exponential increase of new cases for each new year is regulated by this spatial spread model: at the early stage of infestation the red weevil tends to occupy as much space as possible, within the limitations of the distance it can fly; in the following stage, its infestation density increases in recently colonized areas. We discuss current local management of palm trees and the pests, and propose strategies that take into account both the ecology of the red weevil and the territorial context. Finally, we encourage the provision of more resources for early detection and prevention measures, as well as replacement of the dead Phoenix canariensis palms with a greater variety of species, as a varied composition would be less prone to pest-caused depopulation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbas MST, Hanounik SB, Shahdad AS, Ai-Bagham SA (2006) Aggregation pheromone traps, a major component of IPM strategy for the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in date palms (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J Pest Sci 79:69–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-005-0113-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abe F, Ohkusu M, Kubo T, Kawamoto S, Sone K, Hata K (2010) Isolation of yeasts from palm tissues damaged by the red palm weevil and their possible effect on the weevil overwintering. Mycoscience 51(3):215–223. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10267-009-0029-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abraham VA, Nair SS, Nair CPR (1999) A comparative study on the efficacy of pheromone lures in trapping Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in coconut gardens. Indian Coconut Journal Cochin 30:1–2

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Dosary NM, Al-Dobai S, Faleiro JR (2016) Review on the management of red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus olivier in date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture 28(1):34–44. https://doi.org/10.9755/ejfa.2015-10-897

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alpizar D, Fallas M, Oehlschlager AC, Gonzalez ML, Chinchilla CL, Bulgarelli J (2002) Pheromone mass trapping of the West Indian sugarcane weevil and the American palm weevil (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in palmetto palm. Fla Entomol 85(3):426–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ávalos JA, Borriàs M, Soto A (2011) Aportaciones sobre el comportamiento de adultos de Rhynchophorus ferrugineus mediante el anàlisis de sus capturas en trampas. Phytoma Espana 226:20–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Ávalos JA, Marti-Campoy A, Soto A (2014) Study of the flying ability of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) adults using a computer-monitored flight mill. Bull Entom Res 104:462–470. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007485314000121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ávalos JA, Balasch S, Soto A (2016) Flight behaviour and dispersal of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) adults using mark-release-recapture method. Bulletin of Entomological Research -May 2016, Page 1 of 9. 10.1017/S0007485316000341

  • Barranco P, Lorente-Moreno F, Alcazar-Alba MD, Pena-Mendez YJ (2006). Control of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Spain: field tests and treatments. Proc. 1st International Workshop on Red Palm Weevil. IVIA, Valencia, Spain, 2005, 180 pp

  • Blumberg D (2008) Review: date palm arthropod pests and their management in Israel. Phytoparasitica 36(5):411–448. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03020290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brun L (2006). The date palm in Egypt: a traditional cash crop threatened by the Red Palm Weevil. Proc. 1st International Workshop on Red Palm Weevil. IVIA, Valencia, 2005, 180 pp

  • Chefaoui RM, Hortal JN, Lobo JM (2005) Potential distribution modelling, niche characterization and conservation status assessment using GIS tools: a case study of Iberian Copris species. Biol Conserv 122:327–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2004.08.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conti F, Sesto F, Raciti E, Tamburino V, Longo S (2008) Ecological factors affecting the spread of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Red palm weevil) in eastern Sicily. Plms 52:127–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox ML (1993) Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Egypt. FAO Plant Protection Bulletin 41(1):30–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Dembilio O, Jacas JA (2011) Basic bio-ecological parameters of the invasive Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in Phoenix canariensis under Mediterranean climate. Bull Entomol Res 101(2):153–163. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007485310000283

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DM 09/11/2007 Decreto Ministeriale (2007) – Disposizioni sulla lotta obbligatoria contro il punteruolo rosso della palma Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier). Recepimento della Decisione della Commissione 2007/365/EC. Gazzetta Ufficiale, Serie Generale 37, del 13-2-2008 (in Italian). http://www.guritel.it/free-sum/ARTI/2008/02/13/sommario.html [accessed on 12 April 2011]

  • DM 07/02/2011 Decreto Ministeriale 7 febbraio (2011) – Misure di emergenza per il controllo del Punteruolo rosso della palma Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier). Recepimento decisione della Commissione 2007/ 365 /CE e sue modifiche. Gazzetta Ufficiale, Serie Generale 36, del 14-2-2011 (in Italian). http://www.guritel.it/free-sum/ARTI/2011/02/14/sommario.html [accessed on 12 April 2011]

  • Ebdon D (1985) Statistics in Geography. Blackwell

  • El Garhy ME (1996). Field evaluation of the aggregation pheromone of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Egypt. In Brighton Crop Protection: Pests and Diseases, vol. 3:1059–1064. BCPC, Farnham (GB)

  • El-Sebay Y (2003) Ecological studies on the Red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Egypt. Egypt J Agric Res 81:523–529

    Google Scholar 

  • EPPO Reporting Service (1996). Introduction of the Asiatic palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus into Spain. 96 / 096, No 05

  • EPPO Reporting Service (1999a). First report of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Jordan. 99 / 78, No 05

  • EPPO Reporting Service (1999b). First report of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Israel. 99 / 119, No 07

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2004). Rhynchophorus ferrugineus found in Comunidad Valenciana, Spain. 2004 / 60, No 04

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2006a). First report of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Italy. 2006 / 001, No 1

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2006b). Details on Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Sicilia (Italy). 2006 / 028, No 2

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2006c). Rhynchophorus ferrugineus found in Lazio region, Italy. 2006 / 227, No 11

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2007a). First report of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Turkey. 2007 / 001, No 1

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2007b). First report of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Syria. 2007 / 002, No 1

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2007c). Further reports of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Puglia and Sardegna, Italy. 2007 / 003, No 1

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2007d). First report of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Cyprus. 2007 / 022, No 2

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2007e). Situation of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Spain. 2007 / 023, No 2

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2008a). First report of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Portugal. 2008 / 022, No 2

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2008b). Further details on the situation of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Puglia and Saregna, Italy. 2008 / 093, No 5

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2009). First report of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Albania. 2009 / 207, No 11

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2010a). Situation of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Italy in 2009. 2010 / 139, No 8

  • EPPO Reporting Service (2010b). Rhynchophorus ferrugineus occurs in Malta. 2010 / 204, No 11

  • EPPO/OEPP (2013). PQR-EPPO Database on quarantine pets. (http://www.eppo.int )

  • EU (2007). Decision 2007/365/EC – Commission Decision of 25 May 2007 on emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Community of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier). http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2007D0365:20081007:EN:PDF [accessed on 12 April 2011]

  • EPPO (2008) Data sheet on quarantine pests Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization Bulletin 38:55–59

    Google Scholar 

  • EU (2008) Decision 2008/776/EC – Commission Decision of 6 October 2008 amending Decision 2007/365/EC on emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Community of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier). http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:266:0014:0014:EN:PDF [accessed on 12 April 2011]

  • EU (2010) Decision 2010 / 467 / EU – Commission Decision of 17 August 2010 amending Decision 2007 / 365 / EC as regards the susceptible plants and the measures to be taken in cases where Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) is detected. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:226:0042:0045:EN:PDF [accessed on 12 April 2011]

  • ESRI (2012) ArcGIS 10.X. Redlands: Environmental Systems Research Institute ESRI. GIS mapping Software, Solutions, Services, map Apps, and Data. http://www.esri.com/. Accessed May 2015

  • Faleiro JR, Chellapan M (1999) Attraction of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus to ferrugineol based pheromone lures in coconut gardens. J Trop Agric 37:60–63

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Faleiro JR, Ashok Kumar J, Rangnekar PA (2002) Spatial distribution of red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in coconut plantations. Crop Prot 21:171–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faleiro JR (2006) A review of the issues and management of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Rhynchophoridae) in coconut and date palm during the last one hundred years. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 26(3):135–154. https://doi.org/10.1079/IJT2006113

  • Ferry M (2019) The world situation and the main lessons of 30 years of fight against the red palm weevil. Arab Journal of Plant Protection 37(2):109–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gunawardena NE, Kern F, Janssen E, Meegoda C, Schafer D, Vostrowsky O, Bestmann HJ (1998) Host attractants for red weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus: identification, electrophysiological activity, and laboratory bioassay. J Chem Ecol 24:425–437

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hallett RH, Oehlschlager AC, Borden JH (1999) Pheromone trapping protocols for Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. International Journal of Pest Management 45:231–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter MD (2002) Landscape structure, habitat fragmentation, and the ecology of insects. Agric For Entomol 4:159–166. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1461-9563.2002.00152.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • La Mantia G, Lo Verde G, Ferry M (2008) Le palme colpite da punteruolo risanate con la dendrochirurgia. L’Informatore Agrario 35:43–45 (in Italian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lausch A, Heurich M, Fahse L (2013) Spatio-temporal infestation patterns of Ips typographus (L.) in the Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany. Ecol Indic 31:73–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Longo S, Tamburino V (2005) Gravi infestazioni di punteruolo rosso della palma. L’Informatore Agrario 50:73–74 (in Italian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maheswari TU, Rao NV (2000) Trapping of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus with pheromone trap. Insect Environment 6:76–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Massa R, Caprio E, Migliore MD, Panariello G, Pinchera D, Griffo R (2010) Punteruolo rosso delle palme: la soluzione delle microonde. Terra e Vita 46:10–13 (in Italian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Massoud MA, Faleiro JR, El-Saad MA, Sultan E (2011) Geographic information system used for assessing the activity of the Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier) in the date palm oasis of Al-Hassa. Saudi Arabia J Plant Prot Res 51:234–239. https://doi.org/10.1017/S174275841200015X

  • Mitchell A (2005) ESRI Guide to GIS Analysis (Vol. 2): Spatial Measurement & Statistics. ESRI Press, Redlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy S, Briscoe B (1999) The Red palm weevil as an alien invasive: biology and the prospects for biological control as a component of IPM. BioControl 20:35–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Nardi S, Ricci E, Lozzi R, Marozzi F, Ladurner E, Chiabrando F, Granchelli L, Verdolini E, Isidoro N, Riolo P (2011) Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 41:103–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen HDD, Nansen C (2018) Edge-biased distribution of insects. A review Agron Sustain Dev 38:11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-018-0488-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oehlschlager AC, Chinchilla C, Castillo G, Gonzalez L (2002) Control of Red Ring Disease by mass trapping of Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Fla Entomol 85(3):507–513. https://doi.org/10.1653/0015-4040(2002)085[0507:CORRDB]2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Odum EP, Barrett GW (2005) Fundamentals of Ecology (5° ed.). Belmont: Thomson Brooks/Cole, (Chapter 7)

  • Papadopoulos NT, Katsoyannos BI, Nestel D (2003) Spatial autocorrelation analysis of a Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) adult population in a mixed deciduous fruit orchard in northern Greece. Environ Entomol 32:319–326. https://doi.org/10.1603/0046-225X-32.2.319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peri E, Rochat D, Belušič G, Ilić M, Soroker V, Barkan S, Guarino S, Lo Bue P, Colazza S (2016) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus: behavior, ecology, and communication. In: Wiley J & Sons (ed) Handbook of Major Palm Pests: Biology and Management, pp 105–130. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119057468

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Pitt J, Worner SP (2007). Modelling invasive species spread using stochastic, high resolution, spatially explicit dispersal models integrated within a Geographic Information System. APHIS Science Panel on Pest Risk Mapping, Fort Collins, Colorado, June 5–7th, 2007

  • Pontikakos CM, Kontodimas DC, Tsiligiridis T (2015) A location aware system for integrated management of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in urban systems. Comput Environ Urban Syst 50:74–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2014.11.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rajapakse CNK, Gunawardena NE, Perena KFG (1998) Pheromone baited trap for the management of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus populations in coconut plantations. Cocos 13:54–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sacchetti P, Camèra A, Granchietti A, Rosi M, Marzialetti P (2005) Prima segnalazione in Italia del curculionide delle palme, Rhyncophorus ferrugineus. Notiziario del Centro Sperimentale per il Vivaismo di Pistoia 144(5–6):6–9 (in Italian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sciarretta A, Trematerra P, Baumgartner J (2001) Geostatistical analysis of Cydia funebrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) pheromone trap catches at two spatial scales. Am Entomol 47:174–184. https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/47.3.174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sciarretta A, Zinni A, Mazzocchetti A, Trematerra P (2008) Spatial Analysis of Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller) male population in a Mediterranean agricultural landscape in central Italy. Environ Entomol 37(2):382–390. https://doi.org/10.1603/0046-225X(2008)37[382:SAOLBL]2.0.CO;2

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sciarretta A, Trematerra P (2011) Spatio-temporal distribution of Ceratitis capitata population in a heterogeneous landscape in Central Italy. J Appl Entomol 135:241–251. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0418.2010.01515.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soroker V, Blumberg D, Haberman A, Hamburger-Rishard M, Reneh S, Talebaev S, Anshelevich L, Harari AR (2005) Current status of the red palm weevil infestation in date palm plantations in Israel. Phytoparasitica 33(1):97–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vidyasagar PSPV, Hagi M, Abozuhairah RA, Al-Mohanna OE, Al-Saihati AA (2000) Impact of mass pheromone trapping on red palm weevil: adult population and infestation level in date palm gardens of Saudi Arabia. Planter 76:347–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Walid K (2005) Longevity, fecundity, and fertility of the red palm weevil, Rynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on natural and artificial diets. Emir J Agric Sci 17(1):23–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wattanapongsiri A (1966) A revision of the genera Rhynchophorus and Dynamis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Department of Agriculture Science Bulletin 1:1–328

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the Plant Protection Service of Marche Region (Italy). We would like to thank Sheila Beatty for editing the English usage in the manuscript.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Alessandro Cinnirella and Luca Bracchetti contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ascoli Piceno, Italy

    Alessandro Cinnirella

  2. University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 63032, Camerino, MC, Italy

    Carlo Bisci

  3. Plant Protection Service of Marche Region, Via Industria, 1, 60027, Osimo Stazione, AN, Italy

    Sandro Nardi & Emanuela Ricci

  4. University of Camerino, Lungo mare A. Scipioni, 6, 63074, San Benedetto del Tronto, AP, Italy

    Francesco Alessandro Palermo & Luca Bracchetti

Authors
  1. Alessandro Cinnirella
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Carlo Bisci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sandro Nardi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Emanuela Ricci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Francesco Alessandro Palermo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Luca Bracchetti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luca Bracchetti.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cinnirella, A., Bisci, C., Nardi, S. et al. Analysis of the spread of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in an urban area, using GIS techniques: a study case in Central Italy. Urban Ecosyst 23, 255–269 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-019-00920-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-019-00920-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation