Sick Sago Palm

[nlt99]

Hi!
We have a Sago palm planted in the back yard that has some sort of problem that I can't identify looking on the internet so far.

The OUTER fronds are dying off, NOT the new ones in the center as in crown rot. The center ones look green and relatively healthy. I know it is normal for the outer fronds to die as new ones grow in the middle, but these are dying off way too early and it doesn't look like a normal Sago as a result.

It seems to have some sort of rot or fungus problem going down the outside, behind the stubs of the old cut-off fronds. The stubs of the cut-off dead fronds on the sides simply pull out or can be scraped off and seem to have rotten inner ends, as do some of the full-length dead fronds that haven't been cut off yet. I also found several "worms" or "grubs" of some kind in the inside.... kind of medium-gray with darker heads. I don't know if they are a cause of the problem, or just an after-affect. I have photos and will add them to this post if possible.

If anyone can help identify what the problem is with this plant, and how to treat it, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks for any help! Nick

[stevethegator]

Looks like a Phoenix species, not a Sago (which isn't really a palm at all but a cycad, more closely related to pine trees than palms!).

If the worms look like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rhynchophorus_ferrugineus_larva.JPG,

then it could be red palm weevil, if not its something else, and the worms may not be the cause at all but rather a symptom as you suggested.

Hopefully someone out West near your area can chime in and confirm!

[WestCoastGal]

Hi Nick, it's not a sago, the trunk is all wrong and your plant is armed with spines, and as Stevethegator says appears to be a Phoenix of some variety, which is a favorite food source of several palm weevils. I'm glad you joined Palm Talk to post your photos here. Welcome aboard, although sorry it's due to your current situation.

If you have a small bottle with a top, I'd suggest collecting several of those larvae and throw the bottle in the freezer to kill them and have as a specimen to get it ID'd. As far as I've read the Red Palm Weevil was only spotted so far in California here in the Americas. However there is a South American Palm Weevil that has an all black body when adult. It's in Mexico, and was found in Texas and in Baja Mexico near the San Diego, Calif. border (I know there's a palm weevil in the southeast as well, not sure if it's this type). Neither weevil would be something you'd want to have and basically they do similar damage. I think the larval stage runs a month or two so it's good to catch it at this point before it matures and leaves the palm but you might want to look for cocoons as well. I'm not positive it's a weevil but given the palm, area the palm is infected and your photo I wouldn't rule it out. Any chance you can post a close up photo of the larvae along side a ruler? Being a newbie on the site I'm not sure you can post a high res photo but a close up would help.

Unfortunately there are a number of members here that do have experience with weevils, but as a result they will be able to help you ID it and offer some treatment advice. A few years ago Cristobal in Mexico found P. canaries in his area near the Calif border that were infested. He posted some great detailed photos of the weevils he found. They turned out to be South American Palm Weevils but were of great concern to everyone. Don Hodel, from UC Davis Riverside even went down to Mexico to investigate. Cristobal's photos are on PT's lengthy Red Palm Weevil (RPW) thread, and near the end of the thread as I recall. The photos might be of help to you. I'll see if I can locate the thread page where Cristobal's posts started and post a link here for you. -- here's the thread, Page 10, starts #386: http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/25539-red-palm-weevils-found-in-laguna-beach-ca/page-10?hl=%20red%20%20palm%20%20weevil

If you DO have a weevil problem, I think that various governmental agricultural agencies will be interested. I'm not sure I've heard of palm weevils in Arizona and know Phoenix palms are quite prevalent there. BTW, with Cristobal's photos posted here, someone here was able to alert UC Davis and get some eyes on it. Turned out to be extremely helpful to everyone, palms in the area were examined, taps set and the USDA sent out notices to appropriate parties to be on the alert. Thanks again for being concerned and looking for help.

So apart from this palm, what other palms do you have? Keep checking them too for any bore holes.

[nlt99]

Thanks much for the replies!

Sorry, thought a Sago was a Cycad.

I am near Phoenix, which I should have mentioned.... out in the desert east of Phoenix actually.

The 'worms' look like this..... a little different color and shape than your picture:

I wil see if I can find another and get a better photo, and save as a specimen as you suggested. Any idea what can be done if it is a weevil?

In other parts of the yard we have 3 Mexican Fan Palms, and 1 Queen Palm.

Thanks again for the response! Nick