Damage symptoms
It is very difficult to recognize the first signs of red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) presence and only later stages of attack are conspicuous. However, the damage done before these later stages when detection becomes easier, can suffice for palms to die.
Females lay eggs individually into soft tissues mainly at the base of living fronds. Larvae are present and feed in the softest and most humid living tissues (growth areas) with a low to moderate proportion of fibres. Their feeding causes deterioration of this tissue, making it easier for adult weevils to lay eggs deeper into the tissue. Additionally, this provides entry points for microbial agents that can further destroy living tissue. Due to the specific morphology of the palms, direct or indirect destruction of the apical bud will lead to the death of the plant, which makes the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) a very harmful insect.
