The threat of red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus to date plantations of the Gulf region in the Middle-East: An economic perspective

The Gulf region of the Middle-East which accounts for nearly 30% of the global date production has been threatened by the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus a lethal tissue borer of young date palms, Phoenix dactylifera since the mid 1980s. We estimate the economic loss due to eradication of severely infested palms between 1a nd 5% infestation to range from $5.18 to $25.92 million, respectively. Besides this, the indirect losses would increase this several fold. Further, we also estimated the saving due to curative treatment of palms in the early stage of attack at the above infestation levels to range from $20.73 to $103.66 million, respectively. Considering the severity of the loss and also the loss saved, it is suggested that countries in the region strengthen the on-going management programmes against this lethal pest.