Palm weevils threaten trees

Two exotic species of giant palm weevils are presenting a potential threat to palm trees in Florida and Texas, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI) and the National Plant Protection Organization.

 

The two exotic species of concern -- the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) and the South American palm weevil (Rhynchophorus palmarum) can be very difficult to differentiate from the palmetto weevil (Rhynchophorus cruentatus), which is native to Florida and the southeastern U.S.

 

The South American palm weevil, Rhynchophorus palmarum is considered to be a pest that is transient, actionable, and under surveillance in the United States, according to NAPPO.

 

On May 3, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of South American palm weevil in Alamo, Texas. This detection was the result of a multi-state delimitation survey initiated in response to detections of the South American palm weevil in California in 2011.

 

On May 11, a second South American palm weevil was detected in the same general geographic area of Alamo, Texas. Both detections were found within five miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. APHIS is working closely with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and Texas A&M University to survey the area of concern to determine the extent of the distribution and next steps.

 

The South American palm weevil, which is one of three “giant” palm weevils of the genus Rhynchophorus, is native to Central and South America and is considered an important pest of palms, specifically date and coconut palms. Sugarcane is also considered a host for this pest. Although the South American palm weevil is a vector of the nematode, Bursaphelenchus cocophilus, which can cause red-ring disease in coconut and oil palms, the nematode, was not present in the detected weevils.

 

Additional information on Rhynchophorus palmarum or Bursaphelenchus cocophilus can be found at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/palmweevil/index.shtml.