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Asiatic Palm Weevil [Rhynchophorus ferrugineus ]
A NEW PEST ON PALMS
In summer 2009, a true date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) growing in a private garden in Portorož which the owner raised from seed about 40 years ago, dried down. In the official laboratory of the Agriculture and Forestry Institute Nova Gorica a new species of harmful organism Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier; Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) was confirmed, in respect of which the European Commission decision 2007/365/ES provides for emergency measures for the prevention of introduction into the Community and its spread in the Community. Thorough inspections revealed infested palm trees also ni Koper, therefore we ask all owners of such plants to pay attention of the symptoms of drying and holes in the crown of the palm. As a result, the Phytosanitary Administration of the Republic of Slovenia issued on 4 September 2009 a decision on delimitation of the infested area.
Palm species threatened by Asiatic Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier)
Palms [Arecaceae (=Palmae)] are tropical or subtropical or desert thermofilic plants, therefore in Slovenia they may be grown only as ornamental plants in the areas with the expressive sub-Mediterranean climate. The population of various palm species in Slovenia is the most extensive in Istria and on Goriško. Within the special control of Asiatic Palm Weevil in 2008, an inventory of the palm species which grow in our country, and a rough estimation of populations of individual palm species were made. According to this estimation, the situation is the following:
The list of endangered species does not include Brahea armata (Slovene Istria, cultivated on the coast), Butia capitata (rare) and European Fan Palm Chamaerops humilis (Slovene Istria, Goriška).
In 2008, the phytosanitary inspection, in cooperation with the Agriculture and Forestry Institute Nova Gorica, inspected a number of palm trees on Primorska, however no signs of attack were established. The inspection included the following:
The Asiatic Palm Weevil attacks various palm species. Larvae drill into the upper part of the trunk, usually near the apical meristem, and continue their way down the trunk. This results in a complete desctruction of the trunk's core. The first symptom is somewhat poor growth and wilting of new leaves, and finally their falling down. The top of the infested palm trees looks like being cut down or suppressed. While the damage continues and the tissue is attacked by various bacteria and fungi which also contribute to deterioration of the trunk's core, also older leaves bent down, become yellow and die. Such tree dies or even breaks at the most damaged spot. At the base of leaves of infested trees, vegetable sap is usually dripping from the damaged trunk, or excrement may be noticed which warns of the possible attack of the Asiatic Palm Weevil. The entire development cycle of the pest takes about 4 months. In one growing season, it usually develops two generations. In the attacked plants we can usually find larvae of different development stages, therefore also the occurrence of beetles in the growing season is more or less continued (except in winter).
If you notice any suspicious signs of drying on the crowns of palm trees, please call an expert of the Agriculture and Forestry Institute Nova Gorica (Slovene Plant Protection Organisation).
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Phytosanitary Administration of the Republic of Slovenia - last amended: 4 September 2009 |
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