Palm-pest
Guides
Bothrosternini
Bothrosternini is a tribe of weevils within the subfamily Dryophthorinae, characterized by elongated rostrums and association with woody plants. Members of this tribe are found in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in the Americas. The tribe includes economically significant species that attack palms and other monocots.
Caryobruchus
pea and bean weevils
Caryobruchus is a genus of seed beetles in the family Chryselidae, commonly known as 'pea and bean weevils.' The genus contains approximately six described species, including one extinct species, Caryobruchus dominicanus, known from Dominican Republic amber. Members of this genus are specialized seed predators, primarily associated with palms (Arecaceae). The most widely distributed species, Caryobruchus gleditsiae, has been introduced from the New World to the Old World and feeds on seeds from at least 11 genera of palms.
Caryobruchus gleditsiae
Palm Seed Weevil
Caryobruchus gleditsiae is a seed beetle in the family Chrysomelidae (formerly Bruchidae), notable as the largest bruchid species in the United States. Adults range from 4 to 11 mm in length, with body size determined by the size of the palm seed in which the larva developed. The species develops exclusively inside palm seeds and has been recorded from at least 11 genera in the Arecaceae family. It is widely distributed across the New World and has been introduced to the Old World.
Cerataphis
witch hazel aphid, palm aphid
Cerataphis is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, tribe Cerataphidini. The genus comprises approximately 10–12 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Species in this genus are associated with host plants in the families Styracaceae (witch hazels), Arecaceae (palms), and Orchidaceae. Several species exhibit host alternation between primary hosts (Styrax species) and secondary hosts (palms or orchids). Some species are economically significant as pests of coconut, oil palm, and ornamental palms.
Derbidae
Derbid Planthoppers, Derbids
Derbidae is a large and diverse family of planthoppers within the superfamily Fulgoroidea, comprising over 1,700 described species in 166 genera. Adults are small sap-sucking insects typically 5–10 mm in length, with highly variable morphology across subfamilies and tribes. The family exhibits striking diversity in wing shape, head structure, and antennae form. Nymphs develop in decaying organic matter, particularly under bark of dead trees and in palm debris, where they feed on fungi—an unusual life history trait among planthoppers. Several species are economically significant as suspected vectors of phytoplasma diseases affecting palms, including lethal yellowing and related syndromes, though clear evidence of transmission remains limited.
Dryophthorinae
Dryophthorinae is a subfamily of weevils (Curculionidae) comprising approximately 1,200 species in 153 genera and ten tribes. The subfamily includes numerous economically significant agricultural pests, particularly of palms, bananas, rice, maize, sugarcane, and bromeliads. Many species are distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with several having achieved global distributions through international trade in ornamental and agricultural plants. The taxonomic status of Dryophthorinae remains contested; while traditionally treated as a subfamily, at least one major revision has elevated it to family rank as Dryophthoridae.
Fiorinia
Fiorinia is a genus of armored scale insects (family Diaspididae) comprising approximately 70 species. The genus is characterized by pupillarial development, where the adult female remains enclosed within the second-instar exuviae. Species are predominantly distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia and the Pacific Islands, though several have become invasive pests globally through trade in ornamental plants. Notable invasive species include F. externa (elongate hemlock scale), F. fioriniae (palm fiorinia scale), F. phantasma (phantasma scale), and F. theae (tea scale).
Haplaxius
Haplaxius is a genus of cixiid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) in the tribe Oecleini, containing at least 60 described species with a New World distribution. The genus was reinstated by Emeljanov in 1989 for New World species formerly placed in Myndus. Several species are economically significant as vectors of phytoplasmas causing lethal diseases in palms. Haplaxius crudus transmits Candidatus Phytoplasma palmae, the causal agent of lethal yellowing in coconut palms and lethal wilt in oil palms, causing substantial agricultural losses in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and the southern United States.
Haplaxius crudus
American Palm Cixiid, palm leafhopper
Haplaxius crudus is a cixiid planthopper and the primary known vector of lethal yellowing phytoplasma, a devastating disease of palms. The species has a complex life cycle split between two distinct host groups: nymphs develop on grasses and sedges, while adults feed exclusively on palms. This host alternation makes management challenging, as nymphs and adults occupy different habitats. The species is economically significant across the Caribbean, Florida, and tropical America, where it has caused millions of palm deaths and substantial agricultural losses.
Homaledra
palm-leaf skeletonizer
Homaledra is a genus of small moths in the family Pterolonchidae, native to North and South America. The genus includes at least four species, with H. sabalella and H. heptathalama known as pests of palms in the southeastern United States. Larvae are specialist herbivores of palms, feeding colonially on frond undersides beneath protective silk cover.
Homaledra sabalella
Palm Leaf Skeletonizer Moth
Homaledra sabalella, commonly known as the palm leaf skeletonizer moth, is a small moth in the family Pterolonchidae. The species has undergone multiple taxonomic reclassifications, moving from Coleophoridae to Batrachedridae before its current placement. It is found in the southeastern United States and Caribbean islands. The larvae are specialized feeders on palm fronds.
Litoprosopus
Palm Flower Moth, Palm Budworm
Litoprosopus is a genus of moths in the subfamily Dyopsinae of the family Erebidae, containing approximately seven described species. The genus is best known for Litoprosopus coachella, commonly called the palm flower moth or palm budworm, whose caterpillars feed on ornamental fan palms and frequently enter human dwellings to pupate. Adult moths are medium-sized with relatively dull coloration, while larvae are grub-like, nearly hairless, and possess powerful mandibles capable of delivering a noticeable bite.
Litoprosopus coachella
palm flower moth, palm budworm
Litoprosopus coachella, commonly known as the palm flower moth or palm budworm, is a moth species in the family Erebidae. The species is notable for its larval stage, which feeds on palm flowers and buds, particularly of ornamental fan palms. Mature caterpillars abandon host plants to pupate, frequently entering human dwellings where they spin cocoons incorporating carpet fibers and other materials. The species is widely distributed in North America, with substantial populations in urban areas of the southwestern United States where palm landscaping is common. Adult moths are dull-colored and nocturnal.
Metamasius hemipterus
Silky Cane Weevil, West Indian Sugarcane Weevil, moleque-da-bananeira, broca-rajada
Metamasius hemipterus is a weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae, commonly known as the silky cane weevil or West Indian sugarcane weevil. It is a significant agricultural pest of sugarcane, banana, coconut, and ornamental palms. The species has been introduced to multiple regions beyond its native range and is now established across the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. Larvae bore into plant stalks and stems, causing direct and indirect damage that reduces crop productivity. The species is known to use aggregation pheromones and is associated with the endosymbiont "Candidatus Nardonella dryophthoridicola".
Metamasius hemipterus sericeus
silky cane weevil, West Indian sugarcane weevil
Metamasius hemipterus sericeus, commonly known as the silky cane weevil or West Indian sugarcane weevil, is a subspecies of weevil in the family Curculionidae. It is a significant agricultural pest of sugarcane and ornamental palms, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The species is notable for its male-produced aggregation pheromones, which attract both sexes and are synergized by host plant volatiles. Management is challenging due to the cryptic habitat of boring larvae and high reproductive potential.
Ormenaria rufifascia
Palm Flatid Planthopper
Ormenaria rufifascia is a flatid planthopper commonly found on palms in Florida and parts of the Caribbean. Adults and nymphs are visually conspicuous. Dense populations produce honeydew, which can lead to extensive sooty mold growth on host plants, causing aesthetic damage even though the insect is usually not a serious pest.
Pachymerus
Pachymerus is a genus of seed beetles in the subfamily Bruchinae (formerly Bruchidae), family Chrysomelidae. Species in this genus are specialized seed predators of palms (Arecaceae), with documented associations including Syagrus coronata (licuri palm), Syagrus romanzoffiana (queen palm), and babassu palms (Orbinya spp.). The genus has been studied for its tritrophic interactions with parasitoid wasps, particularly Heterospilus species, and its role in palm seed predation in Neotropical ecosystems.
Pachymerus nucleorum
Coconut Borer
Pachymerus nucleorum is a bruchine seed beetle that develops within palm seeds, primarily attacking species in the Arecaceae family. Larvae feed on endosperm inside hard-shelled fruits, with documented hosts including babassu palm (Attalea/Orbinya spp.), licuri palm (Syagrus coronata), and queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana). The species occurs in Brazilian biomes including Caatinga and Atlantic Forest remnants, where it functions as a primary seed predator. Adults are subject to parasitism by braconid wasps, particularly Heterospilus prosopodis. The species has been observed in both natural vegetation and managed habitats, with parasitism rates varying by habitat complexity.
Rhinostomus
yucca weevils, bearded weevil, bottle brush weevil
Rhinostomus is a genus of weevils in the family Dryophthoridae, tribe Rhinostomini. The genus contains approximately eight species distributed across the Neotropics. Several species, particularly R. barbirostris, are significant pests of palms (Arecaceae), causing damage through larval and adult feeding that can lead to palm mortality. The genus was formerly known as Yuccaborus, which was synonymized with Rhinostomus in 2002.
Rhynchophorini
Rhynchophorini is the largest tribe within the weevil subfamily Dryophthorinae. Members are characterized by a pygidium (the seventh abdominal tergite) that remains exposed and is not covered by the elytra. The tribe includes some of the largest weevils in the subfamily, notably significant agricultural pests such as grain weevils (Sitophilus) and palm weevils (Rhynchophorus). Historically, this group was treated as a distinct subfamily, Rhynchophorinae, within the family Dryophthoridae.
Rhynchophorus cruentatus
Palmetto Weevil
Rhynchophorus cruentatus, commonly known as the palmetto weevil, is the largest weevil in North America and the only palm weevil species native to the continental United States. Native to Florida, it has expanded its range west to southern Texas and north to South Carolina. The species is a significant pest of palms, particularly targeting stressed or transplanted trees. Larvae bore into palm crowns and trunks, often killing the host before damage becomes externally visible. The complete life cycle from egg to adult takes approximately 84 days.
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.
Rhynchophorus palmarum
South American palm weevil, American palm weevil, black palm weevil
Rhynchophorus palmarum is a large black palm weevil native to the Neotropics that has become a destructive invasive pest in southern California. Adults are attracted to volatile compounds released by injured palms, where females lay eggs in the crown. Larvae burrow into the palm heart, causing direct damage and creating wounds that facilitate secondary infections. The weevil is the primary vector of the red ring nematode (Bursaphelenchus cocophilus), which causes lethal red ring disease in palms. In its native range, larvae have been consumed as food for centuries.
Sufetula
Sufetula is a pantropical genus of moths in the family Crambidae (subfamily Lathrotelinae), established by Walker in 1859. The genus contains at least 32 described species, including several that are economically significant pests of cultivated plants. Sufetula anania is a destructive root borer of pineapple (Ananas comosus) in Central America, causing damage that can destroy the root system. Sufetula culshawi, described in 2024, is a previously unrecognized species associated with cultivated palms (Areca Palm, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens), spread through horticultural trade. Larvae of at least some species are root-feeders that create tunnels within plant tissues.
Sufetula diminutalis
Sufetula diminutalis is a small snout moth in the subfamily Lathrotelinae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1866 from Honduras and has since spread to Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and more recently to Europe. The species is notable for its root-boring larvae that feed on palms.