Author Description

Red Palm Weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a key pest of palms originating from South and South East Asian Countries that has significantly expanded its geographical and host range during the last three decades. In the Near East RPW is causing wide spread damage to date palm Phoenix dactylifera L., having both agricultural impacts on the palm production, which has negative repercussions on the livelihoods of farmers and environmental impacts. In North Africa, it is also present (except in Algeria) but for the moment only in few limited spots, only on the Canary Island palm P. canariensis. Even when these spots are located on the Mediterranean coast, they represent a serious threat for the Southern oasis.