Sri Lanka Weevil Damage
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Figure 1. Phoenix roebelenii leaf showing notching caused by Sri Lanka weevil. Photo by T.K. Broschat.
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Symptoms
Sri Lanka weevil damage appears as small (typically less than 1/4 inch) notches in the leafletleaflet:
divisions of pinnate leaves
margins of the oldest leaves (Fig. 1).
May be confused with
Caterpillar feeding damage is similar except that much larger, irregular areas of the oldest leaves are cut out. Often, the midribmidrib:
see rachis
of each leafletleaflet:
divisions of pinnate leaves
is all that remains following heavy feeding by caterpillars, whereas Sri Lanka weevil damage is usually much less severe.
Cause
This damage is caused by the Sri Lanka weevil (Myllocerus undatus), a small (1/4 inch) whitish-gray weevil.
Occurrence
Within the United States, this weevil is currently found only in southern and central Florida. It is native to Sri Lanka but is now found throughout India and Pakistan as well.
