Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790)
red palm weevil
on Phoenix, etc.
Greece, Lefkas, Katouna, 20.ix.2018 © Laurens van der Linde
Phoenix canariensis, Montenegro © Ch Malumphy (from Malumphy & Moran): dying tree
parasite
The larvae, up to 5 cm long, bore in the stems; there also the pupatio, in a tough cocoon made out of plant fibres. The adults feed on the leaves.
host plants
Arecaceae, oligophagous
Phoenix canariensis, canariensis, theophrasti;Washingtonia.
distribution within Europe
notes
Important pest., to such a degree that it is modifying the Mediterranean scenery.
references
Anagnou–Veroniki, Papaioannou–Souliotis, Karanstasi & Giannopolitis (2008a), Avalos Masó (2015a), Hrnčić, Radonjić & Perović (2017a), Malumphy & Moran (2019a), Stüben (2017a).