Index

· Introduction
· Biology
· Symptoms
· Methods of control and prevention
· Report of treatments
· Biological control of pest infectations
· Conclusions y reflections
· Examples of Palm Tree recuperation
· Guarantees and references of Ciudad Verde

The Red Palm Weevil or curculionido ferruginoso (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier) is a weevil originating from the tropical regions of Asia and Polynesia that has been continuously spreading throughout other subtropical and temperate regions and colonising different species of palm trees. It is one of the main infestations affecting the palms of the Far East, the Middle East and North Africa. It was introduced into Spain at the time of grand scale importation of Phoenix dactylifera from Egypt. First detected in 1995 in Almuñecar (Granada), the disease has since spread all along the coastal fringe of the Mediterranean and through the Canary Islands, where it is devastating great numbers of palms.

In Spain it primarily attacks the Canary Palm (Phoenix canariensis) followed by the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera). At present, the following palm tree species could be infected by the attacked: Areca catechu, Arenga pinnata, Borassus flabellifer, Butia capitata, Calamos merillii, Caryota maxima, C. cumingii, Cocos nucifera, Corypha gebanga, C. elata, Elaeis guineensis, Livistona decipiens, Metroxylon sagu, Roystonea regia, Ph. theophrasti, Ph. sylvestris, Sabal umbraculifera, Trachycarpus fortunei, Whashingtonia robusta y W. filifera.

Back

The Pupa is found at the base of the palms, both inside and outside the trunk, protected by an oval cocoon of 4-6 cm made of brown dried palm fibres.

In the Spanish Mediterranean region the complete life cycle from egg to adult takes between three and four months which means up to four generations a year.

Given the characteristics and dangerous nature of the infestation it is vital that it is rapidly detected. To get a reliable diagnosis of the condition of a palm, a specialist company or professional, qualified and able to advise on treatments or methods of prevention should be consulted.

Nowadays there are chemical products licensed for preventative and curative treatment, which when combined with biological treatments using entomological pathogenic nematodes can offer good results in the control and prevention of infestations.

For the best results, it is recommended that these methods are carried out by licensed and qualified specialists.

Avoid wounds in palm trees. Pruning should be carried out during cold spells of the year, when the adult insects are least mobile. This way, the spread of disease to places outside the immediate area can be reduced.

Use of scar covering resin or pastes over prune wounds is recommended as is the application of insecticides to the cut areas.

In areas already affected, it is advisable not to undertake new plantings of Phoenix canariensis or dactylifera because they are weak and vulnerable during their settling in period.

For the most effective control of Red Palm Weevil Infestation it is vitally important that new outbreaks are detected as soon as possible and that everyone co-operates.

Dra. Mábel Hidalgo Berutich
Technical Division of Ciudad Verde

Ciudad Verde is a company that has been principally devoted to gardening (design, construction and maintenance of gardens) since 1994 and our area of operation is centered mainly in the Benalmádena, Torremolinos and Fuengirola areas, where we look after private gardens, hotel gardens and community gardens. As well as garden maintenance we also treat plant pests and diseases and we are authorized by and officially registered for this work by the Regional Andalusian Authority (el Centro Oficial de Servicios Plaguicidas de la Junta de Andalucía.)

Our activities relating to the Red Palm Weevil began in 2005 when we sent informative leaflets to our private, hotel and community garden clients. The first treatments began in February 2006 at a hotel in Benalmádena Costa, where employees of the local authority, (la Junta de Andalucía) cut down a badly affected Phoenix dactylifera palm.

We are now very concerned about the Red Palm Weevil, and so are carrying out diagnoses and preventative and curative treatments on the palms canarias and datileras on a total of 600 Palm Trees, mainly in the areas of Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Mijas. We are also initiating an information campaign – How healthy is your Palm Tree? by means of a leaflet that gives information about the disease and promotes diagnosis and preventative treatment.

Fieldwork methods

We have made an Ongoing File for each client, where we record the level of infestation, the species of palm and its size, the date, location, record of any pruning etc.

Diagnosis is carried out by observation of visible external symptoms and direct inspection of the crown of the tree, using ladders and other means.

Treatments are carried out every 40-50 days. We use authorized products, applying them by spraying the crown and/or injecting the trunk. Since November 2007 we have also been carrying out biological treatments using live entomological pathogenic nematodes. Both chemical and biological forms of treatment are programmed by the Senior Technician to be alternated or combined in a programmed schedule of applications specifically designed for each individual case. We have also carried out mechanized removal of affected areas using a chainsaw with the aim of new young shoots growing. These individually designed combined methods are known as “Integrated Treatment".

The product we use is organic, natural, biodegradable, non-toxic and non- contaminative, it is used in agriculture as a bio-stimulant crop protector. Its active ingredient is N-acetylglucosamine (Chitosan) a polymer derived from chitin which combines with the pathogenic nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae).

The nematodes are juvenile parasitic insects that can survive several months without food whilst they actively search out hosts, which they normally enter by the natural orifices (i.e. mouth, anus etc). Once inside they release bacteria which cause the death of the host insect by septicaemia (a generalised infection) in the space of about two days.

The research using pathogenic nematodes was carried out by Estación Phoenix (Palmeral de Elche) in collaboration with the Company Idebio s.l.(Salamanca). The conclusion drawn from the results showed that the treatment tested was an efficient tool for controlling infestations of Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) in both the Canarias and Datilera palms (Phoenix sp.)

Curative and preventative effects may be combined into treatments applied on a monthly basis, when the disease is most active (between March and November), ensuring that the palms are kept in good condition.

The fertinyect “low pressure” trunk injection.

The method of low pressure injection to the trunk, designed by Fertinyect, is based on the use of two elements: a plastic sleeve (the injector) that is inserted into a perforation made in the trunk of the tree, and a capsule (made of natural latex) containing the treatment solution to be applied (the injection). The capsule has to be opened and connected to the sleeve.

The treatment solution is incorporated into the vascular system of the tree by means of the natural transpiratory system of the palm, which absorbs the solution as it passes from the capsule and through the sleeve. The capsule provides a continuous flow of the treatment solution until all of it is used up.

The treatment protocol is based on research work by Fertinyect as published in the Official Bulletin of Vegetation Health – Diseases (el Boletín Oficial de Sanidad Vegetal-Plagas). Experiments were carried out over a 3 year period in collaboration with The Phoenix Station at Elche (la Estación Phoenix – Elche). The results obtained after more than a year of treatments to plantations, where the disease had a strong hold (Elche and Marbella) showed that the method, offers good guarantees of success and control of the Red Weevil Infestation, on both the internal and external parts of the palm.

Throughout the year the recommended treatment provides for a schedule of the trunk injections combined with foliar applications of both systemic and contact insecticides. The injections need to be applied every 45-55 days between March and November. Each palm will need to undergo approximately 5 applications of the injections during a year.

Field results

Of the total trees undergoing treatment (600), 65 were already infected with the disease to a greater or lesser degree and to date we have succeeded in halting the progression of the disease in 75% of them. Of these infected trees, 16 were very badly affected (i.e. having the crown missing or partially destroyed) and in five of these cases there has been re-growth and recovery.

Of the 5 palmeras canarias where we removed damaged areas by chainsaw and manual pruning, 2 are showing re-growth.

Palm trees unaffected by the disease and which have undergone preventative treatment have remained 100% disease free.

After two years of treating the Palm Trees in our area we are able to draw the following conclusions?

Use of up to date preventative treatments on healthy Palm Trees is essential to avoid attack by the Red Palm Weevil. We have personally verified that in badly affected areas, healthy species of canarias remain disease free when systematic prevention measures are taken.

Curative treatments have been effective in 75% of cases. It is most important that that the method of application by spraying is carried out using adequate equipment (high reach lances etc.) and that the crown and the base of the leaves are well drenched (30-40 litres per tree). Trunk injections have to be applied adequately in both number and position. The application of the biological treatment using nematodes must also be meticulous, given that it involves the use of living creatures and must be used according to the supplier’s instructions. We say all this having seen that bad practice is fairly common in such treatments nowadays. In many cases treatments are carried out by ‘gardeners’ and companies that are neither qualified or authorized to do so, including official bodies such as the Town Halls. It is important to stop this bad practice as it produces inefficient treatments and an ensuing loss of credibility in the products used and ability to save specimens.

- The regular frequency of treatments is very important, and we have found that in our area the disease has no “winter pause”- weevils can be seen flying about in January and February!

- The use of integrated treatments using a combination of methods, chemical, biological (entomological nematodes), mechanical (removal of damaged areas) and including traps to catch the adults seems to be the most effective method of treatment and prevention, provided that it is carried out in a professional manner.

We are open to any suggestion for co-operation in the fight against this disease.

· Hotel Sunset Beach (Benalmádena): first site of the Red Palm Weevil in Benalmádena.

Undergoing treatment since February 2006.	Now with all the palms saved.

· Hotel los Álamos (Torremolinos): undergoing treatment since May 2007. The Town Hall wanted to cut these trees down in June 2007.

Inspection by crane in June 2007.                                     Present condition.

· Torremuelle O-31(Benalmádena): Re-growth after treatments.

April 2007.                                        February 2008.                           September 2008.

· Arroyo de la Miel, (Benalmádena): Two palms that was to be cut down in February 2007, but which instead underwent integrated treatment.

Avenida La Leala,  present condition.	Calle Adaja, Present condition re-growth after 3 treatments (4 months)

Calle Colima (Benalmádena): Palm undergoing integrated treatment since October 2007, when it had no crown.

Condition in February 2008.	Present condition.

· Calle Valdepeñas (Alhaurin de la Torre): undergoing treatment.

Condition in June 2008.	Condition in September 2008.

*REGISTERED COMPANY No. 29/076 OFFICIALLY APPROVED FOR HEALTH AND AUTHORISED TO CARRY OUT APPLICATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PESTICIDAL AND PHYTOSANITARY PRODUCTS.

*TREATMENT CARRIED OUT BY SPECIALISED STAFF UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A SENIOR TECHNICIAN (BIOLOGY) OFFICIALLY LICENSED WITH A TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION FOR THE APPLICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PESTICIDES.

*PRODUCTS USED ARE DULY REGISTERED FOR HEALTH AND ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTIBLE AND /OR HARMLESS TO PEOPLE, DOMESTIC ANIMALS AND PLANTS.

*CONTROL OF AND STRICT ADHERENCE TO STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND HYGENE AND RESPECT FOR THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT.

*PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE

*CERTIFICATE HOLDER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTS.

*USE OF OFFICIAL MODEL CONTRACTS

REFERENCES FOR TREATMENTS CARRIED OUT (amongst others)

Ciudad Verde has been carrying out preventative and curative treatments against the infestation of the Red Palm Weevil to palms mainly in the areas of Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola and Mijas Costa since February 2006.
Up until now we have obtained good results for our customers whose palms we treat according to the individual recommended cycle. We always use the latest authorised products.

They also hold references for the following works carried out:

- Diario Sur's Article about our treatments against the Red Palm Weevil (spanish)
- Preventative treatment - Hotel Sunset Beach
- Preventative treatment - Hotel Los Alamos
- Preventative treatment - Hotel Fénix
- Preventative treatment - Hotel Aguamarina
- Preventative treatment - Hotel Aloha Puerto
- Preventative treatment - Hotel Sol Timor
- Preventative treatment - Hotel Tamisa Golf
- Preventative treatment - Comunidad La Nogalera
- Preventative treatment - Comunidad Coto de Rosas
- Preventative treatment - Comunidad Playa Golf de Guadalmar
- Preventative treatment - Comunidad La Cizaña
- Preventative treatment - Comunidad Golf Garden Miraflores
- Preventative treatment - Comunidad Benalmar Playa
- Preventative treatment - Comunidad Laderas del Mediterráneo
- Preventative treatment - Comunidad El Arenal 2ª fase
- Preventative treatment - Comunidad Pueblo Rancho Domingo
- Preventative treatment - Mancomunidad Diorama
- Preventative treatment - Comunidad Urbanización Hacienda Las Chapas
- More than 300 trees in private gardens