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South American Palm Weevil

 

Rhynchophorus palmarum (L.) -- Coleoptera:  Curculionidae

 

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       Invasion of  R. palmarum in California was officially confirmed in 2011 in San Diego County.  These initial detections were about 2.5 miles from the United States / Mexico border.   It is believed that the invasion originated from Tijuana Mexico, where infestations and dead palms had been detected earlier.  This palm weevil has a known distribution that includes Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Like other species of Rhynchophorus R. palmarumHYPERLINK "/sites/g/files/rcwecm2631/files/2019-07/USDA-Palmarum-Fact-Sheet.pdf" is a destructive palm pest in its native and invaded ranges.

 

       Feeding by weevil larvae in the crown of palm trees, causes significant damage.  Dr. Mark Hoddle of the University of California reports that this can result in the death of meristematic tissues.  If meristematic tissue is destroyed, it results in the “crown” of the palm dying and this inability to produce new fronds gradually leads to palm death. Palms, especially highly susceptible Canary Islands date palms, Phoenix canariensis, that are in the advanced stages of infection may have a “halo” of green fronds around the top of the trunk, and the palm crown disintegrates and dies.

 

       More than 50 natural enemies have been reported to attack Rhynchophorus species, even if most of them are associated to R. ferrugineus (Olivier), but there is little information on the other species of the genus.  Fungi are considered important for inclusion in future integrated pest management programs.

 

REFERENCES:

 

Gabriela Esparza-Díaz, Alma Olguin, Lynn K. Carta, Andrea M. Skantar & Raul T. Villanueva.  2013.  Detection of Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Identification of Associated Nematodes in South Texas.  Florida Entomologist 96 (4):  1513-1521.

 

Giblin-Davis, R, M, et al.  1996.  Chemical and behavioral ecology of palm weevils (Curculionidae: Rhychophorinae).  Florida Entomologist 79:  153-167.

 

Hodel, D. R., M. A. Marika  &  L. M. Ohara.  2016.  The South American palm weevil, a new threat to palms in California and the southwest.  Palm Arbor 3:  1-27.

 

Hunsberger, G. B., R. M.Giblin-Davis & T. J. Weissling.  2000.  Symptoms and population dynamics of Rhynchophorus cruentatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Canary Island date palms.  Florida Entomol. 83:  290-303.

 

Oehlschlager, A. C.; C. Chinchilla, G. Castillo, & L. Gonzalez  2002.  Control of red ring disease by mass trapping of Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).  Florida Entomologist, 85 (3):  507-513.

 

Wattanapongsiri A.  1966.  A Revision of the Genera Rhynchophorus and Dynamis.  Department of Agricultural Science, Bangkok (T.H.).

 

Wilson M.  1963.  Investigations into the development of the palm weevil, Rhynchophorus palmarum.  Tropical Agriculture Trinidad 40:  185–196.