Damage symptoms
Larvae of the South American palm borer (Paysandisia archon) can be found tunnelling in different parts of the palms. Early-instar larvae can be found in the stipes (trunk), within the fruit, or within the leaf rachis. They may bore into the young, packed palm leaves. So, once the leaf develops, opens and expands, a series of consecutive holes on a circular section become visible. Large larvae will only be found in the stipe. They tend to bore into and remain within the very core of these structures, where the humidity is high and temperature fairly stable.
Damage symptoms depend on the palm species and include abundant sawdust, extruding from larval galleries on the crown and/or stipe; perforated or nibbled leaves; gallery holes within the trunk and leaf petioles; deformation and abnormal twisting of stipes; abnormal drying up of the palm, especially of the core leaves. Heavy larval attack may kill the palm tree.