Red Palm Weevil
Rhynchophorus vulneratus
This record describes Rhynchophorus vulneratus (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
first NA detection: Laguna Beach, CA 2010 (identified as R. ferrugineus )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Dryophthorinae
- Tribe
- Rhynchophorini
- Genus
- Rhynchophorus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to SE Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines). The . As of January 2015, this weevil was declared officially eradicated (Hoddle et al. 2017), although it may possibly occur sporadically
Diet and Behavior
Diet: the only confirmed host outside of tropical Asia is Phoenix canariensis (Arecaceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Rhynchophorus vulneratus (Panzer 1798)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Rhynchophorus vulneratus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Red Palm Weevil (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Phillip Harpootlian; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Palm Weevil
What is Red Palm Weevil?
Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus vulneratus) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Red Palm Weevil?
19.0–42.0 mm
Where is Red Palm Weevil found?
Range: native to SE Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines). The . As of January 2015, this weevil was declared officially eradicated (Hoddle et al. 2017), although it may possibly occur sporadically
What does Red Palm Weevil eat?
The diet of the Red Palm Weevil includes the only confirmed host outside of tropical Asia is Phoenix canariensis (Arecaceae).