The Silent Siege: Understanding Date Palm Vulnerability to Red Palm Weevil Infestation

Following the widespread invasion of the red palm weevil (RPW) across the Middle East and North Africa, initial infestations in date palms were predominantly observed on the lower trunk and basal offshoots. However, recent field observations in Saudi Arabia indicate a rise in apical infestations, which are harder to detect due to limited access to the palm canopy, especially in taller palms. These apical infestations pose a greater threat as they can serve as sources for adult weevils that spread to neighbouring healthy palms. In addition to these two types of infestation, RPW can infest the trunk just below the crown where aerial offshoots are attached. Consequently, three main types of RPW infestations on date palms are observed: lower trunk, apical, and below-crown infestations. The study investigates the role of both basal and aerial offshoots in the development of RPW injuries as well as the measures to be undertaken to mitigate the impact of such infestations. Keywords: offshoots, apical infestation, date palm, red palm weevil, management