Using microwave technology against red palm weevil: an innovative sustainable strategy to contrast a lethal pest of date palms

The invasive red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is currently considered one of the most serious pest insects threatening the sustainability of the date palm sector (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Several control methods have been applied; however, concern is raised regarding the treatments that can cause significant environmental pollution. In this context the use of microwaves is particularly attractive, and our team has shown that microwave heating is a promising and eco-compatible solution to fight the spread of weevil in the case of Phoenix canariensis palm. The effectiveness of the method strongly relies on a suitable modeling of the process and design of the microwave heating system, which in turn depends on the accurate electromagnetic and thermal characterization of all the materials involved. In our previous studies the feasibility to combat the red palm pest in Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud palm using microwave heating systems was shown and an electromagnetic-thermal model was developed to better control the temperature profile inside the palm tissues. The aim of this paper is to present our approach and MITHRIL (MIcrowave Technology against Red palm weevil) project: a feasibility study on the use of microwaves to contrast RPW diffusion in a wider scenario by extending the results obtained with Phoenix canariensis palm to Phoenix dactylifera (date palm). The study will provide information for the development of a microwave heating strategy as an additional tool that, in an IPM approach, could contain or hopefully eliminate RPW that poses a serious threat to date palm cultivation.