**2.4 Breeding of larva and nymphs**

The collected larvae were immediately placed into breeding boxes; transparent, with holes on the sides and on the top of the boxes to ensure oxygenation and avoid asphyxiation. The holes on the boxes are closed with a fabric scrim (muslin type). Rectangular boxes were used for rearing larvae harvested from *P. canariensis* and

*Biotechnological Applications of Biomass*

which annually produce around 30 million m3

*P. opaca* larvae in date palm, especially in *P. dactylifera* L.

**2. Materials and methods**

**2.1 Study area and plant material**

down contaminated trees [8, 9]. In Spain, red palm weevil has appeared since 1999 and damaged almost 20,000 palms of *Phoenix dactylifera* [10]. In the North of Morocco and more precisely in Tangier, the number of *Phoenix canariensis* prospected during 2009–2016 is 244,393 [11]. The number of *P. canariens is* infested with *R. ferrugineus* was 904, which 896 were incinerated [11], whereas no *P. dactylifera* has been infested with *R. ferrugineus*. In Morocco, *Potosia opaca* var. cardui Gyllenhal has been observed for the first time by Meddich and Boumezzough [12]. Indeed, in Marrakesh and Errachidia regions, it attacks *P. dactylifera* L. and *P. canariensis* by consuming their wood, which causes faster degradation. Thus, to remedy the damage caused by *P. opaca*, most farmers were forced to use synthetic pesticides. However, the intensive use of these pesticides are generally effective in protecting crops [13], but they are toxic to wildlife and to organisms from different levels of the ecosystems [14–17]. Over time, the permanent use of insecticides may be accompanied by the development of resistant strains in some treated species. Biocontrol strategies for pests need to be investigated and developed to provide an ecological substitute or alternative approach to the conventional methods. Some sub-products such as olive oil mill waste waters (OMW) are currently used to control pests, which is essential for crop protection [18, 19]. Most of the OMW phenolic compounds derived from olive polyphenols have many other biological properties [20, 21], as well as biocide activities [22] and phytotoxic effects [23]. Due to their particular characteristics, these effluents are a serious problem for the Mediterranean region,

environment [23] and accounts for approximately 95% of olive oil production in the world [19]. In addition, different physicochemical methods have been proposed to treat OMW, including natural and forced evaporation [24], electro-coagulation [25], oxidation by ozone and Fenton reagent [26] as well as their agricultural spreading [21], which is an alternative among the suggested solutions. However, the agronomic application of OMW is limited by the doses to be applied and the risk of polyphenols accumulation in the soil after consecutive applications [21–27]. In parallel with researches made on the treatment of OMW, many studies have been carried out aiming the recovery of OMW phenolic compounds. Recent studies tried to take its advantage from the antimicrobial and phytotoxic properties by using it as biopesticide for crops protection [28–30] or as insecticides to control *P. opaca* larvae [31]. This contribution summarized the quality of palm health status, OMW characteristics and its application as insecticides to control

This study was conducted during the period of 2014–2016 in the oasis of Marrakesh located in the central region of Morocco and the oasis of Errachidia situated in the southeastern part of the country. The majority of their territory presents arid climate, hot summer and cold winter. Palms (*Phoenix*) constitute one of the important botanical families, and include some of the world's most important economic plants. In North Africa regions, dates production provides jobs for estimated around 50 million people [32]. It plays by now an undeniable role in maintaining human populations in arid regions where natural resources are limited and living conditions are difficult [32, 33]. Like in Zagora, Errachidia, Ouarzazate which are located in the Draa-Tafilalet region. It is built on terraces, crowned by an old Glaoui kasbah of a hill and surrounded by a major oasis of palm grove. This includes in particular the biosphere reserve of the oases of south-eastern Morocco [34], which forms an agglomeration of ksours (small castles). This area is located in an

of OMW with a damaging effect on the

**490**

**Figure 2.** *Exploration of the* P. canariensis *palm crown using a scaffold (A); base of leaves (B and C).*

*P. dactylifera*. The breeding substrate was composed of a mixture of untreated natural soil and debris of dead wood, rotted wood and sawdust. Care was taken not to import diseases on bringing boxes of dry dung in breeding substrate in order to increase its acidity, which disadvantages the development of diseases. The breeding substrate was constantly renewed as soon as the feces of larvae appear in large quantities on the surface and more debris and wood in the rearing environment was observed. This breeding operation continued in incubators refrigerated and illuminated with controlled temperature and humidity. However, larvae are lucifugous (escape behavior of light); the optimum temperature is between 25 and 30°C. The nymphal hulls were placed in boxes with slightly damp peat. The duration of pupation varies according to the temperature supported by the larvae and also the male or female sex. The infected nymphal hulls were removed as soon as possible from the breeding environment to avoid pathological contamination of the rest of the cocoons.
