First Records of Endogenous Bio-Agent of the Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Palestine

Red palm weevils Rhynchophorus ferrugineus is becoming a serious insect pest on date palm in the Mediterranean region and in Palestinian territories. Naturally occurring enemies collected from several localities could have a great potential in controlling invasive insect species. An indigenous strain of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae) isolated from naturally infected Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) larvae, pupae and adults were collected from several sites from the northern part of the West Bank. Identification and pathogenicity test were evaluated under laboratory and field conditions on module insect pests reared in the laboratories of Kadoorie Agriculture Research Center (KARC)/ PTUK, West-bank/ Palestinian territories. Laboratory results showed that indigenous strains of B. bassiana can infect target insect pest tested (LC50 was 120-132 conidia per ml). Field preventive bioassays on apple trees infected with aphid, confirmed the potential of this strain as a biological control agent under certain environmental conditions.