The plum weevil Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) is considered as an absolute priority quarantine organism because of the economic, environmental and social damage it can cause if introduced into EU territory. In addition, other weevils harmful to fruit crops from the Curculionidae family are on the EU quarantine organism list (Annex II, part A of Regulation (EU) 2019/2072): Anthonomus bisignifer Schenkling (Asian strawberry weevil), Anthonomus quadrigibbus Say (apple weevil) and Anthonomus signatus Say (American strawberry weevil). The status of quarantine organisms must be carefully monitored by detection surveys (including visual examinations, sampling and species identifications) on host plants and fruits to check for evidence of the presence of these weevil species on the Belgian territory. In case of confirmed infestation, immediate precautionary measures should be taken to prevent its establishment and spread.
Current prescribed visual inspections mainly focus on the (visible) symptoms of damage (damaged fruit by feeding corridors and exit points of larvae). But then egg laying has already taken place, and thus reproduction has already occurred, which is not optimal in view of effective management measures (such as spraying against active weevils).
The main objective of this project is the development and practical implementation of prediction models that can be used to predict the phenology (seasonal dynamics) of (quarantine) Curculionidae weevils in Belgian climate and cultivation conditions. In addition, this project aims to answer the following research questions:
- What is the current status of the priority quarantine plum weevil Conotrachelus nenuphar in Belgium?
- What is the current status of the other quarantine Curculionidae weevils important for fruit production (Anthonomus bisignifer, Anthonomus quadrigibbus and Anthonomus signatus) in Belgium?
- How can Curculionidae weevils be optimally monitored in Belgian climatic and growing conditions?
- How can phenological prediction models be developed and implemented in an efficient monitoring strategy for Curculionidae weevils?
- What are effective management measures against (quarantine) Curculionidae weevils?
Funding
This project, funded by the Federal Public Service (FPS) Public Health (RF 24/15), is coordinated by the pcfruit (Proefcentrum Fruitteelt VZW) with CRA-W as a research partner.
