Work

Safeguarding the Spanish National Phoenix Collection: Management Strategies Against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in a Comparative Mediterranean Context

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The invasive red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, RPW) poses a severe threat to heritage palm collections across the Mediterranean Region, necessitating robust protection strategies. This study addresses the urgent challenge of safeguarding the Spanish Phoenix Collection at Miguel Hernandez University (EPSO) and the Orihuela Palmetum by analyzing the efficacy of applied Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies over a ten-year period (2014–2024). Monitoring and treatment protocols included targeted chemical, biological, and cultural controls, and were benchmarked against infestation progression data, climatic trends, and comparative case studies from Murcia, Elche, Nice, and Palermo. Results indicate that a proactive, multi-component IPM strategy, especially when coupled with probabilistic risk models, can significantly improve survival and recovery indicators in Phoenix taxa, although species-specific susceptibility to RPW was a major differentiating factor. Comparative analysis reveals common regional patterns in R. ferrugineus management but underscores the critical need for collection-specific, resource-sensitive protocols for high-value heritage plants, demonstrating that evidence-based best practices and coordinated monitoring are essential for effective heritage palm conservation amid continuous pest pressure.

Source: Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens

DOI: 10.3390/jzbg7010008