Population dynamics of the weevil Datonychus melanostictus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on spearmint crop in Chaouia region, Morocco


https://doi.org/10.4081/jear.2022.9867
Vol. 54 No. 1 (2022)
Submitted: 21 May 2021
Accepted: 27 August 2021
Published: 19 April 2022
Rhizome borer, Spearmint, Population fluctuation, Trapping activity, Morocco
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Authors

  • K. El Fakhouri
    k.el-fakhouri@cgiar.org
    Laboratory of Entomology, National Institute of Agronomic Research, Regional Center of Settat; Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Moulay Ismail University, Faculty of Science, Meknes; Biodiversity and Plant Sciences Program, AgroBioSciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir, Morocco. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2298-885X
  • S. Lhaloui Laboratory of Entomology, National Institute of Agronomic Research, Regional Center of Settat, Morocco.
  • B. Faouzi The National Office for Health Security of Food Products - ONSSA, Settat, Morocco.
  • A. Sabraoui Laboratory of Entomology, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, ICARDA, Rabat, Morocco.
  • M. Rochd Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Moulay Ismail University, Faculty of Science, Meknes, Morocco.
  • R. Boulamtat Laboratory of Entomology, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, ICARDA, Rabat, Morocco.
  • C. Ramdani Laboratory of Biology and Health, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ibn-Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco.
  • M. El Bouhssini Biodiversity and Plant Sciences Program, AgroBioSciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir, Morocco.

The mint rhizome borer, Datonychus melanostictus (Marsham, 1802), is a new pest of spearmint crop in Chaouia region north central of Morocco. The main damage is caused by the larvae, which tunnel inside the rhizomes. In this study, we investigated the population fluctuation of D. melanostictus in spearmint fields during two seasons 2013 and 2014 using two sampling methods. The emergence of weevil begins in late March, followed by an increase of egg laying activity during May. A strong larval activity takes place at rhizomes below ground during late May to early June. Pupation takes place mainly inside the rhizomes. New generation adults reached three peaks between June and early August 2013 and two peaks during June and July in 2014. The highest larval density recorded before flowering resulted in significant reduction of the average fresh yields to 6.6 t/ha. Protection of mint fields against D. melanostictus is a daily challenge, population dynamics can be a tool to predict and to help farmers for applying protection methods in the best way.


Supporting Agencies

the National Agency for Sanitary Safety of Food Products (ONSSA)

El Fakhouri, K., Lhaloui, S. ., Faouzi, B. ., Sabraoui, A. ., Rochd, M. ., Boulamtat, R. ., Ramdani, C. ., & El Bouhssini, M. . (2022). Population dynamics of the weevil <em>Datonychus melanostictus</em> (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on spearmint crop in Chaouia region, Morocco. Journal of Entomological and Acarological Research, 54(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/jear.2022.9867

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