Red Palm Weevil Invades Southern California

A new invasive pest was found recently in Southern California. This pest has the potential to cause some serious damage in the area. Southern California is known for it’s palms, and the Red Palm Weevil is known as “the world’s worst pest of palm trees”. It’s not a good mix. In August of 2010, the pest was found in Laguna Beach. The Red Palm Weevil or Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is a rather large beetle with a long snout, but it’s the larvae that does the most damage by boring through the palm and feeding on the surrounding tissue.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture has asked people to report possible infestations to the CDFA Pest Hotline (800) 491-1899 or at the CDFA’s Report a Pest website at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/reportapest. Below is a CBS report on the Red Palm Weevil and additional links to further information.

Additional Links on Red Palm Weevil:

Center for Invasive Species Research, University of California Riverside – Red Palm Weevil
California Department of Food and Agriculture – Red Palm Weevil
Red palm weevil spotted in Southern California, alarming palm tree growers and scientists