Nutritional composition of different rearing feedstocks influenceslarval survival of African palm weevil (Rhynchophorus phoenicis)
Keywords:
African palm weevil, Larval survival, Adult emergence, Feedstock, Proximate compositionAbstract
The African palm weevil (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) is a major pest of palm trees in the tropics and subtropics. This study examined the efficiency of rearing African palm weevil larvae on various substrates, used singly and in combination, with reference to their proximate compositions. Palm fibre, coconut husk, wet plantain stem and a mixture of the three substrates were used to rear palm weevil larvae. Twenty larvae were introduced per bowl into six bowls for each treatment, and four treatments were evaluated. Larval survival, pupation and adult emergence were recorded. High larval mortality was recorded in week 3 for wet plantain stem substrate (mean: 12.00) and palm trunk fibre (mean: 14.2). The combination of all substrates enhanced larval survival during the early rearing period. Mean pupation was highest with coconut husk in week 3, and mean adult emergence was highest with coconut husk in week 4. The differences were significant (p < 0.05). The proximate compositions of the substrates varied, but the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Moisture content was highest in plantain stem fibre. Ash content was highest in the combination of palm trunk fibre, coconut fruit husk and plantain stem fibre. Crude fibre, crude protein and ether extract were highest in the combination of pawpaw trunk fibre, palm trunk fibre, coconut fruit husk and sugarcane stem fibre. Carbohydrate content, measured as nitrogen-free extract (NFE), was highest in sugarcane stem fibre. Coconut husk was the most appropriate substrate for the mass rearing of African palm weevils.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Victor Ngozi Enwemiwe, Sarah Ifeta, Eric Esiwo, Precious Edhebe, Ehimwenma Aghahowa, Vwegba Siakpere Rumekori, Chioma Cynthia Ojianwuna
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