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Normally, the Red Palm Weevil
prefers to infest palms below the
age of 20 years, where the stem of
the young palm is soft, juicy and
easily penetrated. The weevils are
destructive pests to palms.
The larvae are
responsible for damaging the palm, and once they have gained access, the death of the palm
generally ensues. The larva normally never comes to the surface, since it begins its life
inside the palm. Therefore, neither the damage nor the larva can be seen. However, the
trunk of the palm can be infested in any parts, including the crown.
The damage caused by a
few larvae of the weevil is astonishing. Even one larva may cause considerable damage,
and, sometimes the death of the palm.
It is difficult to assess
the actual loss caused by this pest, but undoubtedly it affects the production of
date palms.
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