IDENTIFICATION OF THE AGGREGATION PHEROMONE OF TWO PALM WEEVILS, Rhinostomus barbirostris AND Amerrhinus ynca (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)

Abstract

Palm trees (Arecaceae) cultivation represents an important source of income for many Brazilian states, highlighting Brazil among the major world producers. In Bahia State, coconut and palm oil crops stand out in economic importance. However, the producers suffer year after year with high economic losses due to insect pest attack, mainly by weevils (Curculionidae), such as the bearded weevil Rhinostomus barbirostris and the rachis borer Amerrhinus ynca. A. ynca is a very important pest of the adult coconut tree, although its attack has also been observed on young plants with formed stem. The larvae attack is characterized by large internal galleries located in the rachis, which lead to the weakening and breakage of the leaves. The R. barbirostris larvae form galleries in the stem which reduce or interrupt the sap flow, causing breakage of the leaves and weakening of the plant. Besides the direct damage, R. barbirostris may be a vector of diseases in coconut and oil palms, such as stem bleeding (resinosis) and red ring disease. In this talk, I will present the identification of the aggregation pheromone produced by R. barbirostris and by A. ynca, the first two works of our research group with insects of the family Curculionidae.