Integrated pest management (IPM) for Ectomyelois ceratoniae on date palm

Abstract Ectomyelois ceratoniae integrated pest management defines three main keys: Sterile Insect Technique SIT, post-harvest chemical control and biological control. Each component is described with information on its implementation, adoption and importance in palm groves. The SIT, a control tool using gamma radiation to sterilize male and/or female moths before release, has been shown to significantly reduce density in subsequent generations. Alternatively, date fumigation with CO2, ethyl formate or Eucalyptus essential oils, has proven to be a promising control alternative to fumigation with methyl bromide. However, biological control can be considered as the most environmentally friendly and better option against this pest. A lipopeptide biosurfactant produced by Bacillus subtilis SPB1 has been shown to be very effective against E. ceratoniae infesting stored dates. In addition, the combined application of B. thuringiensis with the release of parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma, Phanerotoma or Bracon would be a promising control approach.