By DAISY SAMPSON
daisy.sampson@the-resident.com
PALM TREES across the region are under threat from a non indigenous pest, the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus.
Already this year the weevil has destroyed 7,500 palm trees in Andalucía, southern Spain, and researchers in Portugal predict that similar numbers can be expected in the Algarve region if the problem is not countered.
First reports of the weevil in Europe were 14 years ago and since then numbers have been steadily increasing.
The weevil is thought to have entered Portugal on imported palms and threatens palm trees in the region, most specifically the Canary Island date palm tree, Phoenix dactylifera.
This palm is an imported species to Portugal but it is important to preserve this species as it is a symbol of the region and a sign of the tropical nature of the Algarve.
Environmentalist Anthony Lambe told The Resident: “The date palm symbolises the feeling of being on holiday. I believe the loss of these palms in the Algarve would be detrimental to the image of the region.”
It has been reported that by the time a tree is identified as being infested with weevils it is too late to treat the problem.
However, because of the vascular bundles in the trunk of the palm it is different from other trees and can withstand extensive damage without dying.
Protection
If you would like to protect your palm from being destroyed by the red palm weevil then the first step to take is to identify the problem.
To establish the presence of weevils, look for cuts to the fronds and finger sized holes in the trunk, especially near the crown.
“An infected palm will have damaged fronds that look like they have been cut by a pair of scissors,” said Anthony Lambe. “This is not to be mistaken for damage caused by rats that also break fronds but leave a rough edge to their cuts.”
A course of injections needs to then be administered to the tree and Anthony Lambe suggests that two injections, available from local nurseries, should be effective to kill the weevil inside the trunk.
The next stage is to set traps, also available from garden centres, for any weevils that may be in the area to prevent them from infecting the palm again or others nearby.
Treatment costs approximately 150 euros, which is brought into perspective when considering that the price of a mature palm can be in excess of 1,000 euros.
Anthony Lambe is currently lobbying the European Commission for an active response to the red palm weevil. He has identified a number of issues including the need for a reduction in the cost of treatment and for legislation to prevent further importation of the insect to Europe.
He said: “This problem is like a headache, if you take an aspirin the problem goes away but it does not mean you will never have another headache and the same can be said of the red palm weevil.”
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