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International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture

ISSN Online: 2578-3475 Downloads: 411859 Total View: 4405943
Frequency: quarterly ISSN Print: 2578-3467 CODEN: IJFSJ3
Email: ijfsa@hillpublisher.com
Article Open Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2025.09.003

Efficacy of Palm Tree Weevil Killer for Control of Adult Weevils in Nigeria

T. I. Aneni*, V. C. Adaigbe, O. O. Adeoye

Entomology Division, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, Benin, P.M.B. 1030, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author: T. I. Aneni

Published: September 23,2025

Abstract

Insect pests pose a serious threat to palm plantations that need knowledge and tools for their detection, control, and management. The control of insect pests in the palm industry has mainly relied on chemical pesticides. This has proved unsustainable. The adult weevils, Oryctes monoceros and Rhynchophorus phoenicis are currently major insect pests that attack coconut palm plantations in Nigeria. The efficacy of the Palm Tree Weevil Killer (PTWK) root treatment method was evaluated for its bio-insecticidal control on Oryctes monoceros and Rhynchophorus phoenicis adult forms at NIFOR coconut palm plantation, Nigeria. The experimental plot was 2.3Ha compared with a similar untreated plot. Observations were made for 6 weeks after treatment, for dead adult weevil populations. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance, independent sample T-test, and testing for significant difference in the effect of insecticidal treatment on adult weevil populations. Results indicate that exposure to the insecticide at 20 liters of water added to 33.33ml of PTWK super concentrate induced high mortality against the weevils. The highest population of dead weevil adults was observed 4 weeks after treatment. Total percentage mortality of weevil adults was 34.4% (treatment) and 15.38% (control) at week 4, indicating effective control. The use of the plant-based palm tree weevil killer base contributed positively to the control of adult weevils in the trial plot. The biodegradable palm tree weevil killer base is recommended to the palm industry as a management technology for weevil control and its potential for increasing productivity in palm plantations.

Keywords

Insect pests; Coconut palm; Palm tree weevil killer; Biodegradable; Root treatment

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How to cite this paper

Efficacy of Palm Tree Weevil Killer for Control of Adult Weevils in Nigeria

How to cite this paper: T. I. Aneni, V. C. Adaigbe, O. O. Adeoye. (2025) Efficacy of Palm Tree Weevil Killer for Control of Adult Weevils in Nigeria. International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture9(3), 165-172.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2025.09.003