Taxonomy, biology, invasion history, and management of Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae)

Abstract Rhynchophorus palmarum (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae) is a significant pest of ornamental and commercial palm species in its native (Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean) and invaded ranges (Baja California Mexico and California United States). This palm weevil vectors a plant pathogenic nematode, Bursaphelenchus cocophilus (Cobb) (Aphelenchida: Parasitaphelenchidae), that causes a lethal palm malady, red ring disease. On a per hectare basis, this vector–pathogen association, unique among Rhynchophorus spp., may make R. palmarum a significantly more damaging pest than the globally notorious red palm weevil, R. ferrugineus (Olivier). Substantial knowledge deficits include inefficiencies in early detection and mass rearing R. palmarum for experiments, paucity of data on economic impacts, and a lack of understanding of the ecology and population regulation of this weevil in native areas. In comparison to R. ferrugineus and its economic host, the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L., there is a profound lack of knowledge in all omics fields (ie proteomics, metabolomics, and volatilomics) pertaining to R. palmarum and its key agricultural palm hosts (ie coconut, Cocos nucifera L., and oil palm, Elaeis guineensis Jacq). However, promising avenues of research include biological control agents, especially the tachinid fly, Billaea rhynchophorae (Blanchard), areawide management using point sources that combine aggregation pheromone and insecticides for attract and kill, and anticipated advances in genetics-based tools that may enhance management of this pest.