The South American palm weevil (Rhynchophorus palmarum) is thought to have migrated north from Tijuana, across the U.S./Mexico border, and has since killed hundreds of Canary Island date palms in San Diego County.

In the above example, the tree appears healthy to an untrained eye, when in fact the weevil has already killed it by destroying the meristem, or growth tip, now visibly absent from the crown.

The weevil locates its targets aerially. Once it finds a victim, the female weevil will bore into the meristem to lay its eggs. Without its meristem, the tree cannot grow, making palm weevil infestations largely fatal without intervention.

The infested date palm is now dried up and visibly dead, bearing the characteristic "mushroom top." Upon closer inspection of the crown top, one can see where the weevil larvae have made their homes.

Take a closer look. That brown stuff is where the palm weevil larvae have consumed the tasty meristem and literally excreted it back out. It's pretty disgusting.

Actually a type of boring beetle (but quite exciting to entomologists, buh-dum dum), the large (2”) palm weevil expands its range (now extending into North County) by flying from tree to tree, drilling into and laying eggs in the crowns.

Eventually the fronds fall off completely and often the tree will partially disintegrate into mulch. Larger trees will require complete removal. Call PRO TREES today for a free quote, you know the neighborhood is whispering about that ugly eyesore.

In addition to emergency measures to save an infested tree, PRO TREES has developed experimental methods for preventing infestations altogether. Call PRO TREES today or get started online for more information.

In the event that you notice a collapsing crown on your Canary Island date palm (the signature indicator of a weevil infestation), contact PRO TREES immediately: There may still be time to save the tree.