The South American Palm Weevil Invasion in San Diego County, California The Situation: The South American palm weevil (SAPW), Rhynchophorus palmarum, is a non-native pest of palms that has established populations in San Diego County in California. In December 2010, this weevil was discovered infesting ornamental Canary Islands date palms (CIDP) ( Phoenix canariensis) in...

The South American palm weevil, Rhynchophorus palmarum (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is well established in parts of San Diego County in California and is responsible for killing numerous Canary Islands date palms. The spectacular damage this invasive pest causes and the large showy adult weevils and alien-looking larvae and pupae, captured the imagination of Elliott Kennerson and...