Protect Your Palms from the South American Palm Weevil
The recent discovery of the South American palm weevil (Rhynchophorus palmarum) in Southern California signals a concerning development for local palm trees.
The larvae of this snout beetle species cause the most damage. The males produce an aggregation pheromone, which attracts hundreds of adults to their mating tree. A female lays an average of 245 eggs during her 40-day lifespan.
Once the eggs hatch, the larvae immediately burrow through the hearts of palms, feeding on the growing tissues of the tree crown (the area responsible for generating new fronds). This disruption in the tree’s cellular structure prevents nutrients and water from being distributed, eventually resulting in death.
The first visual sign of infestation includes dieback in the tree’s canopy.
SavATree can help.
Routine monitoring and early identification are crucial to minimize the pest’s impact, but palms stand a higher chance of survival when treated proactively before any infestation takes hold. If the insect is detected nearby, we recommend regular biannual preventive treatments. To control existing populations, your arborist may recommend trunk injections, but this is not as effective as prevention.
To protect your palms, contact one of our certified arborists today.
