EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 11 - 2009 Num. article: 2009/210

Distribution of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in China


In a recent paper, Li et al. (2009) reported the recent introduction of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae – EPPO A2 List) in the province of Zhejiang and provided an update on the distribution of the pest in China.

  • Zhejiang province
In October 2007, adults of R. ferrugineus were discovered in both live and dead palm trees (Phoenix canariensis) in the central part of Zhejiang province. The pest was found in several urban districts (Liandu, Qingtian, Jinyun) of the city of Lishui. It is suspected that the pest was introduced into the city of Lishui by illegal imports of P. canariensis from the province of Fujian where the pest occurs. In December 2007, the pest was also found in the Cangnan district of the city of Wenzhou. All infested palm trees were destroyed.

  • Other parts of China
The presence of R. ferrugineus has also been reported from Taiwan and the following Chinese provinces:
  • Fujian (Xiamen since the 1990s, Zhangzhou county since 2003);
  • Guangdong (city of Zhongshan in 1997, Guangzhou in 1999);
  • Guangxi (in 1997);
  • Hainan (since 2000);
  • Shanghai Municipality (Songjiang district since 2003 where many dead palm trees were observed);
  • Xizhang (=Tibet, in Medog (=Motuo) county of Nyingchi prefecture);
  • Yunnan (2002).

These recent records of R. ferrugineus from several provinces of Southern China indicate that the pest is rapidly spreading. With increasing movements of ornamental palms, it is stressed that quarantine measures should be initiated to prevent any further spread of the pest to other Chinese provinces where it has been demonstrated that R. ferrugineus could establish (i.e. Anhui, Chongqing Municipality, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan).

Sources

Li YZ, Zhu ZR, Ju RT, Wang LS (2009) The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), newly reported from Zhejiang, China and update of geographical distribution. Florida Entomologist 92(2), 386-387.