26 Jan, 2009, 08:20 (GMT -04:00)

WILLEMSTAD – With the date palms that were imported from Egypt for landscaping, came also the Red Palm Weevil on the island. For the western hemisphere, Curacao is the first country that unknowingly introduced this infestation, says biologist Gerard van Buurt, who explicitly busies himself with exotic animals on the island and their negative consequences. “We have already warned for this in the past.”

The Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferriguneus, 2 to 5 cm long) is a harmful insect that drills holes in palms. The insect comes originally from Southeast Asia and is spread by humans to the Middle-East and the Mediterranean, where it had caused a lot of damage to palm trees. Other than for date palms, this red beetle can also form a very serious plague for coco- and other palm trees. “Some specimen was discovered in the area of the Karel Doormanweg in December and January. This insect will with no doubt multiply in the coming months and spread all over the island. Once these insects are established, there is very little that can be done other than try to treat the individual infested palms with a systematic insecticide.

The overall picture of a new plague is that not much is noticed in the initial stage, but after a few months, the plague strikes everywhere. According to the information received from the regional headquarters of the FAO (UN-organization for food and agriculture) in Barbados, the most effective insecticide against this insect is Confidor (Bayer). Van Buurt: “For as far as I am aware of, this product is not obtainable on the island yet. Another insecticide that can be used is Decis, but also this is often not available.”

Other systematic insecticides are less effective. Affected palms must be buried in a trench and covered with dirt, so that the insects cannot get out and fly to other palms. “Burning them is too slow; the insects can then escape.”