Red Palm Weevil on Big Island of Hawaii

[LilikoiLee]

Two of our Areca vestiaria (red form) looked a little shabby when I walked by them today. Upon closer investigation I discovered a soft spot in the crownshaft. I explored the crown and after probing the area with my fingers pulled back the base of the petiole that covered the area.

Yikes!

1. Is this the larval form of the red palm weevil or something less destructive? I found two readily visible in each of two of the trees.
   
   
2. There appear to be a couple of more holes into the crownshaft that are dripping a clear, gelatinous liquid and in one of those holes I think I see another of these larvae deeper inside.
   
   
3. I remember a post by Dr. George alerting us to their destructive nature but I don't remember if they were identified on the Big Island of Hawaii yet.
   
4. Is there a treatment that is known to be effective?
   
5. Do I alert anyone?

Thanks everyone.

Lee

[trioderob]

Start here :

http://cisr.ucr.edu/red_palm_weevil.html

I would wait one day to get feedback on this forum and then immediately report it.

if its the red weevil its huge deal - it could do millions of dollars damage

save a few of the insects in a jar in your freezer - till you get a definitive answer

Edited March 23, 2015 by trioderob

[John Case]

Agreed....this could be something very big......in a negative way!

[Jose Maria]

This is BAD NEWS.

For years we have been fighting this pest in Costa Rica. Mostly because it attacks oilpalm here, but also coconut.palms.

No time to lose . The best control is with traps and feromones.

All information can be found in ASD Costa Rica: www.asd-cr.com

[gyuseppe]

Lee seems red weevil larvae

you have not found any adult insect?

[trioderob]

large photo for ref - looks like it to me but I am no expert - get ready to call it in

Edited March 23, 2015 by trioderob

[Dypsisdean]

Lee,

Looks like a major concern. I have alerted Garrett to your post. I would cut and burn those crownshafts, and anything else that has holes in them - and carefully examine all palms. And as Rob said, freeze and save those guys.

Have you had those palms for a while? In other words, finding out where these things came from would be very important information.

I'll give you a call tomorrow.

[Dypsisdean]

Update:

Our local palm expert, Garrett Webb, got back to me very quickly and identified the larvae on Lee's Areca as the New Guinea Sugar Cane Weevil - an important pest of ornamental palms, but one that has been here for a very long time - and that I have never seen on one of my palms, as I assume it is more prevelant in the older sugar cane growing areas of Hawaii.

Thanks Garrett - A major relief for palm lovers here on the Big Island.

Garrett sent these pics, along with the following info from Don Hodel for anyone interested.

Sugar Cane Weevil.pdf

[foxtail]

In Spain and other countries killed a LOT of P.Canariensis. They call him 'Picudo Rojo'

Edited March 23, 2015 by foxtail

[Jose Maria]

A sigh of relief.No "Rhynchophorus a.k.a. picudo" on Hawaii yet.

It is important to keep a quarantine and inspection on agricultural products coming into Hawaii.

[doranakandawatta]

Lee,

I am sorry to see your today's topic giving such bad or worrying news.

It's nice to see you again on Palmtalk . I hope your garden will be fine and you'll fight efficiently.

I presume USA knows about endotherapy treatments against palm weevil, I heard about that in Switzerland but never used it.

Best wishes for happy garden.

Best regards

Philippe

[Central Floridave]

Very interesting article in the new edition of Palms journal. The theory is hypothesized that the weevil is imported by people wanting to farm and eat the weevil. Supposedly the red weevil larvae is a delicatesin for some.

[avanza]

yes it is.

[LilikoiLee]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. Quick response looks like it will save the palms that are affected. Special thanks to Dypsis Dean (Palmtalk moderator) who alerted our West Hawaii resident palm expert and nursery owner Garrett Webb. Garrett is also a certified arborist who instantly identified the nasty little beast and directed us to the proper treatment. With the whole Palmtalk team alerted to the situation, we were literally on top of the problem within hours.

We love Palmtalk for the wealth of information but in this instance our friendly forum rose to the level of a medical crash cart rushing to the immediate aid of the patient. Without this communication mechanism it might have been weeks before we figured out what was going on and by then too late for a rescue.

Thanks again.

Mike and Lee

[Dr. George]

Very interesting article in the new edition of Palms journal. The theory is hypothesized that the weevil is imported by people wanting to farm and eat the weevil. Supposedly the red weevil larvae is a delicatesin for some.

Just got my new Palms journal and the article by Don Hodel is very interesting. Pics of commercial cultivation of the larva in old palm trunks is a little chilling. Recommended reading for all of you who are IPS members and get the Journal. - gmp

[DoomsDave]

A relief!

For now.

Keep watching.

[BS Man about Palms]

Props to you Lee and Mike for being so observant!

[Al in Kona]

Thanks for alerting us Lee and it is a relief to find out it is not Rhynchophorus (picudo rojo). Much thanks to Garrett W. for identifying it.

Is anyone here acquainted with ENDOTHERAPY treatments as mentioned by Philippe? Sounds like something we should be aware of in treating any weevil problem.

[PalmatierMeg]

Very interesting article in the new edition of Palms journal. The theory is hypothesized that the weevil is imported by people wanting to farm and eat the weevil. Supposedly the red weevil larvae is a delicatesin for some.

Just got my new Palms journal and the article by Don Hodel is very interesting. Pics of commercial cultivation of the larva in old palm trunks is a little chilling. Recommended reading for all of you who are IPS members and get the Journal. - gmp

Read it last night - gross and very chilling.

[realarch]

Lee, Mike,

What a heartstopping thread title and like Bill said, thanks for being so observant.

I'd like to put a heads up in the ucoming Newsletter, so could you email me with with the treament

measures and recommendations from Garrett?

Thanks,

Tim