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Home
> Trees
> Species Info > Palm
Trees > Insects and Diseases
>
Palmetto Weevil
Rhynchophorus
cruentatus
The Palmetto Weevil can be found throughout Florida, as far west as
southern Texas and as far north as South Carolina. It is North America's
largest weevil. This pest has a taste primarily for the Cabbage Palm
(sabal palmetto) although it will infest Saw Palmettos (serrenoa repens)
and, occasionally, Canary Island Date Palms (phoenix canariensis),
Washington Palms (washingtonia), Royal Palms (roystonea), and some coconut
palms. The insect is attracted primarily to stressed or damaged trees;
healthy trees rarely have weevil infestations. The Palmetto Weevil is
generally lethal to cabbage palms and there is, as yet, no effective
treatment. In most instances, affected trees should be cut down. In
regions of weevil infestation, intensive insecticide application can
prevent infestations in valuable healthy trees but, in most cases, this is
not an economically viable option.
Appearance
Palmetto weevils are large and not particularly attractive insects. The
legless larvae are fat, yellowish and can weigh up to .25 ounces (7 grams)
in the final stage. The mature insects themselves have wings, are black or
red, and have a length ranging from .75 to 1.25 inches (2-3.2 cm) long.
Weevils are distinguished by large mandibles which extend from the tops of
their heads.
Palmetto weevils start life as eggs laid in the leaves or damaged areas of
a host tree. After about three days, the eggs hatch and the grubs begin to
feed on the tissue of the palm. The larvae grow by moulting and with each
successive moult their appetites grow. In their final stage, the mature
larvae move from deep within the tree to the outer area and spin cocoons
around themselves. Weevils emerge from the cocoons after several weeks to
mate. The entire cycle takes about 12 weeks. Mature insects are most
noticeable in late spring and early summer.
Damage
and control
By the time palmetto weevil damage is noticed, it is generally already too
late to save the tree. Damage is first evident in the wilting and dying of
younger leaves. As the weevils continue their work inside the tree, the
entire crown may weaken and fall over.
Unfortunately,
the most effective way to control palmetto weevils is to destroy the
affected trees. For healthy palms, it is essential to keep the trees in
good condition and, above all, to avoid wounds as these attract weevils.
Great care should be taken with lawnmowers and other gardening implements
to avoid damaging trees.
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