Date-palm
Guides
Billaea
Billaea is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 80 described species. Most larvae are parasitoids of beetle larvae, particularly cerambycids and lucanids, with some species attacking lepidopteran hosts in the family Pyralidae. Several species have been investigated as biological control agents for agricultural and forestry pests, including palm weevils and sugarcane borers.
Tachinidaeparasitoidbiological-controlCerambycidaeDryophthoridaeCrambidaeviviparousplanidiaforest-pestagricultural-pestoil-palmsugarcanepalm-weevilwood-borersoutheast-AsiaSouth-AmericaEuropeBulgariaBrazilTurkeyMexicoPeruintegrated-pest-managementnatural-enemyhost-searchingkairomonessuperparasitismmass-rearingGalleria-mellonellalaboratory-hostfrassgallerytunnelpupal-parasitoidlarval-parasitoidectoparasitoidendoparasitoidColeopteraLepidopteraDipteraBrachyceraDexiinaeDexiiniRobineau-Desvoidy-183080-speciesglobal-distributionforestryagricultureornamental-palmsdate-palmcoconutRhynchophorusDiatraeaPrionusXylotrechusclimate-matchingestablishment-potentialMediterraneanMiddle-EastCaliforniainvasive-speciesred-palm-weevilAmerican-palm-weevilred-ring-diseasevector-controlnatural-mortalitypest-managementsustainable-agriculturehost-specificitytrophic-associationnew-host-recordparasitism-ratefield-parasitismlaboratory-rearingadult-longevityfecunditysex-ratiopupal-viabilitypupal-durationplanidia-lengthfood-resourcespollenhoneysucroseflowering-plantsspontaneous-floracompanion-plantshabitat-managementconservation-biological-controlaugmentative-biological-controlclassical-biological-controlquarantinehost-rangecircumstantial-evidencetaxonomic-confusionB.-rhynchophoraeB.-menezesiB.-adelphaB.-claripalpisB.-rutilansB.-cerambycivoraB.-steiniB.-fortisB.-irrorataB.-pectinataB.-setosaB.-trianguliferaB.-lataB.-intermediaB.-biserialisB.-giganteaB.-rubensB.-maritimaB.-marmorataB.-aurifronsB.-verticalisB.-flavaB.-chinensisB.-brevicaudaB.-kurahashiiB.-micronychiaB.-papeiB.-setigeraB.-yintiaolingB.-rufescensB.-triquetrusB.-rubidaB.-rufiventrisB.-brasiliensisB.-friburgensisB.-giacomeliB.-kosteraeB.-plaumanniB.-shannoniB.-africanaB.-argentaureaB.-atkinsoniB.-capensisB.-communisB.-decisaB.-edwardsiB.-erectaB.-ficorumB.-grandisB.-impigraB.-interruptaB.-kolomyetziB.-luteolaB.-malayanaB.-minorB.-monohammiB.-montanaB.-morosaB.-nipigonensisB.-orbitalisB.-ovataB.-quadrinotaB.-rhingiaeformisB.-robustaB.-satisfactaB.-sibleyiB.-sjostedtiB.-solivagaB.-trivittataB.-trochanterataB.-vanemdeniB.-velutinaB.-versicolorB.-villeneuveiB.-vitripennisB.-ziminiB.-lateralisB.-lativentrisBothriocera omani
Bothriocera omani is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Kramer in 1983. The species has been identified as a predator of the Dubas bug (Ommatissus lybicus), a serious pest of date palms in the Middle East and North Africa, based on molecular gut content analysis. It was collected from date palm plantations in Oman as part of a study identifying natural enemies of O. lybicus.
Coccotrypes
Coccotrypes is a genus of bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) comprising approximately 130 described species. The genus is notable for its specialized seed-boring habits, with several species developing entirely within seeds or propagules of host plants. Coccotrypes dactyliperda (date stone beetle) and C. rhizophorae are economically significant pests of date palms and mangroves respectively, having achieved cosmopolitan distributions through human-mediated dispersal of host plant material.
Phoenicococcidae
palm scales, phoenicococcids
Phoenicococcidae is a monotypic family of scale insects containing a single genus and species, Phoenicococcus marlatti. Commonly known as palm scales or red date scales, these insects are specialized pests of palms in the genus Phoenix. They are sessile as adults, embedded in white waxy nests at the base of palm fronds.
Phoenicococcus
red date scale
Phoenicococcus is a genus of scale insects in the family Phoenicococcidae. The genus contains P. marlatti, commonly known as the red date scale, which is a significant pest of cultivated date palms (Phoenix dactylifera). Species in this genus are phloem-feeding insects that infest palm hosts. The genus is distinguished by its specialized association with palms and its morphological features typical of the family Phoenicococcidae.
Phoenicococcus marlatti
red date scale
Phoenicococcus marlatti, commonly known as the red date scale, is a scale insect in the family Phoenicoccidae. It is recognized as the most important pest of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), causing significant agricultural damage requiring management intervention. The species has a broad distribution across date palm-growing regions worldwide, including North Africa, the Middle East, Mediterranean Europe, and parts of the Americas.
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus
Red Palm Weevil, Asian Palm Weevil, Sago Palm Weevil
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus is a large snout beetle and one of the most destructive pests of palm trees worldwide. Native to tropical Asia, it has become invasive across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, causing severe economic damage to coconut, date, and oil palm plantations. Larvae tunnel deep into palm trunks, excavating galleries up to 1 meter long that destroy vascular tissue and typically kill the host plant. The species is frequently confused with R. vulneratus, a closely related species with which it shares common names and overlapping ranges.