Abstract:
The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is a serious species of pest that
can totally damage the palm trees especially coconut tree. This polyphagous insects is
widely found in southern Asia and Melanesia where it is well-known problem for the
damage it causes to coconuts grown in plantation. In Malaysia, especially in the state of
Terengganu, this weevil was found attacking the coconut palm since 2006 and become
the major problems in plantation field. The objective of this study is to determine the
microhabitat preference of the Rhynchophorus ferrugineus according to their life cycle's
stage. The field sampling process was done from September 2010 to January 2011 at
three coconut farms in Rhu Tapai, Merang and Rantau Abang. The samples were
identified and number of each stage were calculated in the field and some of the samples
were processed in the laboratory. The parts of the coconut tree where the samples isolated
were identified and observed. The larva and adults of this weevil were mostly found at the
booted stem, the softer part of coconut tree. Most pupae were found at petiole as the
petiole rich with fiber and the pupae need the fiber to make cocoon to complete their life
cycle. The egg was found at the base of petiole and also should be able to found in the
wounded petiole and leaves.
