Training, demonstration and distribution on use of pheromone traps for the management of Red palm weevil and Rhinocerous beetle in coconut and fruit flies in cucurbits

    A training cum distribution on use of pheromone traps for the management of Red palm weevil and Rhinocerous beetle in coconut and fruit flies in cucurbits has been organised at ICAR- CCARI, Old Goa on 25/6/19. The project “Management of economically important insect pests with the use of pheromone technology through trainings and demonstrations” was funded by Nabard.  Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CCARI addressed the farmers and briefed about the benefits of pheromone technology. He also stressed the ill effect of pesticides usage on cucurbitaceous vegetables. He distributed pheromone traps and lures of red palm weevil and rhinocerous beetle and cue lure traps and lures to the farmers. Dr. R. Ramesh, Principal Scientist (Plant pathology) associated in organising the programme. The damage symptoms, insect life stages and other management aspects has been explained to the farmers by Dr. Maruthadurai.R Scientist (Agril. Entomology) the principal investigator of the project. Trap placement, lure replacement, food attractants, trap servicing and insect observation has been demonstrated to the farmers. More than 30 farmers were actively participated in the programme and distributed 200 cue lure traps and 70 traps and lures of red palm weevil and rhinocerous beetle to the farmers.