Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), commonly known as the “red palm weevil” due to its dark red livery, is a curculionid beetle native to southern Asia and Melanesia. It is lethal pest, a concealed tissue borer very harmful to 17 palm species worldwide, especially Arecaceae.
The red weevil is a harmful organism subject to an emergency measure by the European Community (Decision 2007/365/EC “Emergency measures to prevent the introduction and spread of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in the Community”). In Italy is in force the DM 02/07/2011 (“Provisions on the mandatory fight against the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus”). The first Italian record dates back to 2004; in Liguria it is present since 2007.
Several researchers of the University of Genoa are involved in monitoring plan to understand the spread on this species in Liguria.
This model was realized by Glenda Cantale during the Universal Civil Service (SCU) at the Genoa University
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