Red palm weevil: how to spot it and treat it

The red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is a beetle native to Asia that devastates Mediterranean palm trees. On the Costa del Sol it has affected thousands of specimens, especially the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis). Spotting it early is key to saving the palm.

How to recognise the red palm weevil

Symptoms usually appear when the infestation is already advanced, so inspect palms regularly:

• Drooping or asymmetric central fronds, looking like a “broken umbrella”.
• Holes at the base of the fronds and the crown.
• Sawdust or chewed fibres around the heart of the palm.
• Noise of larvae feeding (in severe infestations).
• A smell of fermentation in the crown.

Available treatments

Treatment should be carried out by an authorised professional, as it involves plant protection products:

1. Preventive treatment: periodic applications (endotherapy or spraying) to stop the insect getting in.
2. Curative treatment: in the early stages the palm can be sanitised by removing affected tissue and applying insecticide.
3. Pheromone traps to reduce the adult population in the area.

Can an infested palm be saved?

It depends on the degree of damage:

• Early stage: high chance of saving it with sanitation + treatment.
• Advanced stage (destroyed crown): the specimen usually has to be felled and removed to prevent contagion to other palms.

Legal obligations

In Andalusia, the presence of red palm weevil must be reported, and there are rules on treating and removing affected palms. A specialist company knows the procedure.

Prevention

• Avoid pruning palms during the months of peak insect activity (spring–autumn), as wounds attract the weevil.
• If you prune, seal the cuts and apply treatment.
• Keep a preventive programme if you have Canary Island date palms.

Have palms at risk? Consult palm tree specialists on the Costa del Sol.