Identification
These are the signs and symptoms to look for when trying to determine if South American palm weevil is causing your palm tree decline.
- Accumulated frass (insect excrement) at frond bases.
- Pupal cases on the ground near the tree.
- Holes and tunneling at the base of the palm fronds.
- Characteristic putrid odor.
- Progressive foliage yellowing and eventual death.
- Yellowing begins in the topmost, newest leaves and progressively goes down into the crown.
The SAPW eggs are pearly white in color and oval in shape. The eggs are 2.5mm long and about 0.87mm wide when freshly laid inside the flesh of the palm.
The larvae range from 1-5” long while boring into the stem of the palm to feed on decaying and live tissues. The SAPW larvae have an orange head and white abdomen. The larvae continue to feed and grow larger until pupation. The larval period ranges from 36-78 days.
The pupal stage lasts 14-21 days. The cocoon is made out of fibrous vascular bundles of palm. The cocoons are about 7.2cm long and 3.0cm wide.
Identification and Symptoms
Symptoms and Impact of SAPW Attack
Assessment and Diagnosis Resources:
- SAPW Field Identification Guide (PDF)
University of California Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- USDA Factsheet (PDF)
Photo Source: Mark Hoddle, UC Riverside, and The Society of Nematologists slide collection; Ulrich Zunke, University of Hamburg, Germany
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