Palm Weevil Profile: Biology of Rhynchophorus phoenicis in Côte d’Ivoire | InformativeBD

Ehounou Prisca Gnanda, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire and  Ouali-N’goran San-Whouly Mauricette, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire. wrote a Research article about, Palm Weevil Profile: Biology of Rhynchophorus phoenicis in Côte d’Ivoire. Entitled, Biological studies on palm tree weevil Rhynchophorus Phoenicis fabricius (Coleoptera; Curculionidae): An interest food bug in Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa). This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB.  an open access scholarly research journal on Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Larvae of the palm tree weevil Rhyncophorus phoenicis are consumed and sold on the markets in Côte d’Ivoire, their high prices, in fact a luxury product. In order, to consider possibilities of domestication to increase their availability and decrease the cost, the objective of the present work is to know the development cycle of this species. To do this, a breeding was conducted at the laboratory of Zoology and Animal Biology of the University Felix-Houphouet-Boigny. The rearing device consisted of cylindrical and rectangular plastic boxes. The individuals used come from cocoons collected from palms infested in the field. As soon as the imagoes appeared, pieces of palm trunk were placed in these boxes to serve as support for spawning and nutrition. The total cycle time is 108.51 ± 3.6 days and has 6 larval stages, a nymphal stage followed by adult stage. Female lifetime fecundity was 252.26 ± 3.61 eggs. Incubation period was 4.09 ± 0.53 days with fertility rate of 88.30%. The mean larval and pupal development period were 33, 24 ± 0.9 days and 25.42 ± 2.4 days, respectively. The average emergence rate of adults was 88.30 ± 2.04%. A significant difference was observed in adult life span (F = 28.08, P < 0.05).It is 68.86 ± 3.3 days in males and 54.71 ± 2.7 days in females. This work revealed the possibility of breeding R. phoenicis under controlled conditions. To avoid abusive harvests in already fragile ecosystem, breeding trials on other substrates would be possible.

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Introduction

The consumption of insects is a food practice that extends more and more in the world (FAO, 2013). Many African peoples consume large quantities even if the usually food tends to disappear gradually (van Huis et al., 2013; Halloran et al., 2014). The united Nations Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) promotes since several years the use of insects in food and feed (FAO, 2010). Indeed, the consumption of insects expands, diversifies the diet, and helps prevent nutritional deficiencies (Malaisse, 2004). In West Africa, both termites, locusts, lepidopteran caterpillars and beetles are eaten. The larval and adult stages of R. phoenicis Fabricius (1801) commonly referred to as the caterpillar of the palm tree, are consumed in Côte d'Ivoire (Ouali and Ehounou, 2017). In addition, the commercialization of this species constitutes an important source of income for traders. In most cases, the insects consumed are directly obtained by harvesting or collecting in a natural environment. However, the availability is related to seasonal variations. The farms are still marginal and require a rigorous development to ensure a supply of quality and quantity for nutrition (FAO, 2013). In terms of rearing, insects have higher rates of growth and feed conversion rates and can breed on small spaces with a low impact on the environment (FAO, 2009; van-Huis, 2013). Irregular supply of markets in the larvae makes it difficult to meet demand especially during the dry season. To compensate these ruptures seasonal in supply, it is necessary to produce this insect outside of its natural habitat. The objective of this study is to know some biological parameters of R. phoenicis. Specifically, it will determine incubation period, female fecundity, egg fertility, the survival rate, larval development time, longevity, sex ratio and emergence rate of adults.

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Article source : Biological studies on palm tree weevil Rhynchophorus Phoenicis fabricius (Coleoptera; Curculionidae): An interest food bug in Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)