Eradication of Rhynchophorus vulneratus from California (US)
In October 2010, Rhynchophorus vulneratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae – formerly EPPO Alert List), originally identified as R. ferrugineus (EPPO RS 2010/176) was discovered in California (US). The pest was found infesting Phoenix canariensis at two locations in Laguna Beach (Orange county). These two locations were close to each other (120 m apart). Collected specimens were initially identified as R. ferrugineus but subsequent studies using molecular markers confirmed the presence of R. vulneratus which is now considered to be a distinct species from R. ferrugineus. Phytosanitary measures were immediately implemented in Laguna Beach to eradicate the pest (destruction of infested palm trees, visual inspections, use of pheromone traps, chemical treatments, information campaign to residents and professionals). The last confirmed detection of a live R. vulneratus was made in 2012-01-20. After 3 consecutive years without pest detections, USDA-APHIS officially declared the eradication of the pest (under the name R. ferrugineus) from California in 2015-01-20. The cost of the eradication of R. vulneratus from Laguna Beach has been estimated at just over a million USD.
Sources
Hoddle MS, Hoddle CD, Alzubaidy M, Kabashima J, Nisson JN, Millar J, Dimson M (2016) The palm weevil Rhynchophorus vulneratus is eradicated from Laguna Beach. California Agriculture. DOI: 10.3733/ca.2016a0012.
NAPPO Phytosanitary Pest Alert System. Official Pest Reports. USA (2015-01-23) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Red Palm Weevil) - Eradicated from California. http://www.pestalert.org/oprDetail.cfm?oprID=608