EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 09 - 2007 Num. article: 2007/167

Details on the situation of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Sicilia, Italy


In Sicilia (Italy), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae – EPPO A2 List) was first reported in 2005 in the historical centre of the city of Acireale (province of Catania) on Phoenix canariensis, and in several other localities along the Ionian coast (see EPPO RS 2006/001 and 2006/028). The pest was later found in the province of Trapani (Marsala, Petrosino, Mazara del Vallo, Dattilo) and on the islands of Favignana (Egadi), Lampedusa and Pantelleria. R. ferrugineus has been found in the city of Palermo since mid-2005 and the main outbreak has been found in the ‘Parco d’Orléans’. As of June 2007, approximately 100 palm trees have been destroyed in the city of Palermo. Phytosanitary measures are continuing in Sicilia to eradicate the pest.

Sources

Lo Verde G, Massa B (2007) [Observations on red palm weevil in Sicily. Bollettino di Zoologia Agraria e di Bachicoltura Serie II 39(2), 131-149.] (in Italian).