Palms constitute one of the largest botanical families and include some of the world's most important economic plants. This book reviews the interrelationships between palms and insects. The host plants, distribution and bionomics of representative insects are discussed.

Handbook of Major Palm Pests: Biology and Management contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the red palm weevil and the palm borer moth, two newly emergent invasive palm pests which are adversely affecting palm trees around the world. It provides state-of-the-art scientific information on the ecology, biology, and management of palm pests from a global group of experts in the field. An essential compendium for anyone working with or studying palms, it is dedicated to the detection, eradication, and containment of these invasive species, which threaten the health and very existence of global palm crops.

Date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecales: Arecaceae), is an important palm species cultivated in the arid regions of the world since pre-historic times and traditionally associated with the life and culture of the people in the Middle-East and North Africa which are the pre-dominant date palm growing regions worldwide. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN estimates that there are over 100 million date palms with an annual production of over 7.5 million tonnes A recent report on the arthropod fauna of date palm, enlists 112 species of insects and mites associated with date palm worldwide including 22 species attacking stored dates. Enhanced monoculture of date palm in several date palm growing countries coupled with climate change, unrestrained use of chemical insecticides and extensive international trade is likely to impact the pest complex and the related natural enemies in the date agro-ecosystems. In view of the importance of date palm as an emerging crop of the future and the need to develop and deploy ecologically sound and socially acceptable IPM techniques, this book aims to comprehensively address issues related to the biology and sustainable management of major insect and mite pests of date palm by assessing the current IPM strategies available, besides addressing emerging challenges and future research priorities. The issues pertaining to the role of semiochemicals in date palm IPM involving new strategies revolving around “attract and kill” and “push-pull” technologies, phytoplasmas and their insect vectors with implications for date palm, innovative methods for managing storage pests of dates and knowledge gaps in devicing sustainable strategies for the management of red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) are also addressed

The oil palm is the world's most valuable oil crop. Its production has increased over the decades, reaching 56 million tons in 2013, and it gives the highest yields per hectare of all oil crops. Remarkably, oil palm has remained profitable through periods of low prices. Demand for palm oil is also expanding, with the edible demand now complemented by added demand from biodiesel producers. The Oil Palm is the definitive reference work on this important crop. This fifth edition features new topics - including the conversion of palm oil to biodiesel, and discussions about the impacts of palm oil production on the environment and effects of climate change alongside comprehensively revised chapters, with updated references throughout. The Oil Palm, Fifth Edition will be useful to researchers, plantation and mill managers who wish to understand the science underlying recommended practices. It is an indispensable reference for agriculture students and all those working in the oil palm industry worldwide.

Date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecales: Arecaceae), is an important palm species cultivated since pre-historic times in the arid regions of the world and traditionally associated with the life and culture of the people in the Middle-East and North Africa which are the pre-dominant date palm growing regions worldwide. The crop is currently cultivated in nearly 30 countries in the Asian, African, American and Australasian continents. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN estimates that there are over 100 million date palms world wide with an annual production of over 7.5 million tonnes Date palm is attacked by a wide range of insect pests mainly from the orders Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hemiptera besides phytophagous mites, several of which cause substantial loss in yield and even mortality of palms. During the last two decades there has been a significant increase in date palm cultivation worldwide especially in the Middle-East and North Africa where the area has increased over 50%, mostly in vast stretches of monoculture plantations offering a conducive macro and micro ha bitat for existing and emerging insect pests of date palm. Global warming together with rapid large scale movement of palm species for farming and ornamental gardening has compounded the threat of insect pests to date palm. Indiscriminate use of insecticides to control these pests as the first line of defense is of major concern in the date growing countries due to the inherent disadvantages of insecticidal residues in dates (affecting exports), development of resistance to insecticides in the target species and resurgence of minor pest to major insect pest associated with chemical control The book provides an overview on the biology (life cycle, damage, losses, geographical distribution, host range) and management (monitoring, action thresholds, biological control, chemical control, mechanical control, use of semiochemicals and biopesticides) of major arthropod pests of date palm from the orders Coleoptera (red palm weevil, long horn beetle, rhinoceros beetle, frond borer, sap beetles), Hemiptera (dubas bug, issid bug, scale insects, mealy bug) and Lepidoptera (lesser date moth, carob moth, raisin moth), and mites. The issues pertaining to the role of semiochemicals in date pest management and innovative methods for managing storage pests of dates are also addressed. The book on date palm IPM will serve as a document for farmers, students, researchers and administrators involved in the date palm industry.

Praise for the first edition"Avid recreational gardeners, designers, and nursery professionals who enjoy growing dramatic ornamental palms will welcome this comprehensive manual comprising palm biology, propagation techniques, cultural requirements, and overall care."--Booklist"A valuable resource for commercial producers, landscapers, palm enthusiasts, and homeowners."--Florida Gardening"Especially good on pests, diseases and nutritional needs. . . . Offers information for the beginning palm grower as well as the professional."--Miami Herald"Provides in-depth information that should delight palm enthusiasts."--Daytona Beach News-Journal"Effectively illustrates propagation features and disease symptoms. . . . This is the most comprehensive book to date for serious growers."--ChoiceWith a wealth of colorful photos, this updated edition of the essential reference for growing palms contains new information on seed germination, fertilization, pests, and diseases. Nowhere else has such comprehensive information on palm horticulture been brought together in one book.Timothy K. Broschat, professor of environmental horticulture at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, is coauthor of Betrock's Reference Guide to Florida Landscape Plants. Alan W. Meerow, senior research plant geneticist with USDA-ARS in Miami, Florida, is the author of Betrock's Landscape Palms. Monica L. Elliott, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, is coauthor of Compendium of Ornamental Palm Diseases and Disorders.