Rhynchophorus vulneratus

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Rhynchophorus vulneratus
Rhynchophorus vulneratus imported from iNaturalist photo 56333226 on 10 November 2020.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Family: Curculionidae
Genus: Rhynchophorus
Species:
R. vulneratus
Binomial name
Rhynchophorus vulneratus
(Panzer, 1798)
Synonyms
  • Curculio vulneratusPanzer, 1798
  • Calandra schachFabricius, 1801
  • Rhynchophorus paschaBoheman in Schönherr, 1845
  • Rhynchophorus ferrugineus v. tenuirostrisChevrolat, 1882
  • Rhynchophorus glabrirostrisSchaufuss, 1885

The palm weevil Rhynchophorus vulneratus is one of two species of snout beetle known as the red palm weevil, Asian palm weevil, or Sago palm weevil. The adult beetles are relatively large, ranging between 2 and 4 centimetres (1 and 1+12 inches) long, and vary from a rusty red colour to almost entirely black; many colour variants exist and have led to considerable confusion with other species (e.g., Rhynchophorus ferrugineus ). Weevil larvae of these species can excavate holes in the trunk of a palm tree up to 1 metre (3 feet 3 inches) long, thereby weakening and eventually killing the host plant. As a result, these weevils are considered major pests in palm plantations, including the coconut palm, date palm and oil palm. [1]

Contents

Distribution

The native range of this species is considered to include Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand; outside its native range it has been reported and confirmed only from the United States. [2]

Originally from tropical Asia, this palm weevil (initially misidentified as the closely related species, R. ferrugineus) was recorded in the United States at Laguna Beach, CA late in 2010. [3] [4] However it was successfully eradicated and did not become established. [2]

Taxonomy

Primarily due to the existence of numerous color forms across their ranges, the taxonomy and classification of red palm weevils has undergone a number of changes in understanding and circumscription. As such, the information in the literature should be viewed as a compilation of data which may apply to both species, depending primarily upon the biogeography. The most recent genus-level revision in 1966 [5] recognized two species of red palm weevils, ferrugineus and vulneratus, and for decades these were interpreted as separate taxa. A genetic study in 2004 [6] concluded that vulneratus was not distinct from ferrugineus, and treated them as synonyms, a view that was accepted until 2013, when yet another genetic study [7] came to the opposite conclusion, based on more comprehensive geographic sampling. Accordingly, the "red palm weevil" species that appeared in the US was vulneratus rather than ferrugineus, though the latter is the invading species in all of the other global introductions. [7]

Hosts

Red palm weevils are reported to attack 19 palm species worldwide; due to the taxonomic confusion, it is unclear whether R. vulneratus and R. ferrugineus favor different hosts, though nearly all of the invasive populations known are of ferrugineus, so one of the only confirmed hosts for vulneratus outside of Asia is the Canary Island date palm, Phoenix canariensis . [2]

Culinary uses

A fried sago larvae dish in Sarawak, Malaysia Fried sago larvae dish in Sarawak.jpg
A fried sago larvae dish in Sarawak, Malaysia

The larval grub is considered a delicacy in Southeast Asian countries, including Brunei, [8] and Malaysian Borneo. [9] [10] Sago grubs have been described as creamy tasting when raw, and like bacon or meat when cooked. They are often prepared with sago flour. The larvae are also eaten either raw or roasted in the Malaysian Bornean states of Sabah and Sarawak, and regarded as a special high-nutrient meal among the natives there like the Kadazan-Dusun, Melanau and the Dayak. [10] [11] In Sabah the dish is called butod. [12]

Kidu

In the Karo language of North Sumatra, kidu refers to the wood-eating larvae of Rhynchophorus vulneratus, historically misidentified as a related beetle, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus . [7] [13] The larvae are typically harvested from sugar palm, and are eaten, either raw or deep-fried, sometimes served in arsik sauce. [14] [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curculionidae</span> Family of beetles

The Curculionidae are a family of weevils, commonly called snout beetles or true weevils. They are one of the largest animal families with 6,800 genera and 83,000 species described worldwide. They are the sister group to the family Brentidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weevil</span> Superfamily of beetles

Weevils are beetles belonging to the superfamily Curculionoidea, known for their elongated snouts. They are usually small, less than 6 mm in length, and herbivorous. Approximately 97,000 species of weevils are known. They belong to several families, with most of them in the family Curculionidae. It also includes bark beetles, which while morphologically dissimilar to other weevils in lacking the distinctive snout, is a subfamily of Curculionidae. Some other beetles, although not closely related, bear the name "weevil", such as the biscuit weevil, which belongs to the family Ptinidae.

<i>Salacca</i> Genus of palms

Salacca is a genus of about 20 species of palms native to Southeast Asia and the eastern Himalayas. They are dioecious and pollinated by Curculionidae beetles.

<i>Washingtonia filifera</i> Species of palm tree

Washingtonia filifera, the desert fan palm, California fan palm, or California palm, is a flowering plant in the palm family Arecaceae, native to the far southwestern United States and Baja California, Mexico. Growing to 15–20 m (49–66 ft) tall by 3–6 m (10–20 ft) broad, it is an evergreen monocot with a tree-like growth habit. It has a sturdy, columnar trunk and waxy, fan-shaped (palmate) leaves.

<i>Arenga pinnata</i> Species of palm

Arenga pinnata is an economically important feather palm native to tropical Asia, from eastern India east to Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines in the east. Common names include sugar palm, areng palm, black sugar palm, and kaong palm, among other names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belidae</span> Family of beetles

Belidae is a family of weevils, called belids or primitive weevils because they have straight antennae, unlike the "true weevils" or Curculionidae which have geniculate (elbowed) antennae. They are sometimes known as "cycad weevils", but this properly refers to a few species from the genera Parallocorynus and Rhopalotria.

<i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i> Pest weevil on palm (oil, coconut, date)

The palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus is one of two species of snout beetle known as the red palm weevil, Asian palm weevil or sago palm weevil. The adult beetles are relatively large, ranging between 2 and 4 centimetres long, and are usually a rusty red colour—but many colour variants exist and have often been classified as different species. Weevil larvae can excavate holes in the trunks of palm trees up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) long, thereby weakening and eventually killing the host plant. As a result, the weevil is considered a major pest in palm plantations, including the coconut palm, date palm and oil palm.

The red ring disease of coconuts and African oil palms is caused by the nematode Bursaphelenchus cocophilus. It is also identified in literature with an alternative scientific name Rhadinaphelenchus cocophilus. The common name, the red ring nematode, is derived from its distinguishing symptom.

<i>Rhynchophorus cruentatus</i> Species of beetle

The palmetto weevil is an insect native to Florida, but has been found as far as southern Texas to the west and South Carolina to the north. It is the largest weevil in North America and the only kind of palm weevil in the continental United States. It infests palms and is considered a pest. Its main target is the Canary Island date palm, but date palms, sabal palms, saw palmetto, Washingtonia, Pritchardia, royal palms, Latania, coconut palms, Caryota, and Bismarckia are also susceptible. Distressed palm trees are usually attacked, which makes transplanted trees a frequent target. The Palmetto Weevils mate at the base of the palm branches where the females deposit their eggs. The grubs then eat into the palm tree, killing it. After the larvae have turned into adult weevils, the damage can be seen, but by then, it is considered to be too late for the tree. The life cycle from egg to adult for a palmetto weevil is about 84 days. For prevention, it is recommended an appropriate insecticidal crown drench is done twice a year for high value palms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maize weevil</span> Species of beetle

The maize weevil, known in the United States as the greater rice weevil, is a species of beetle in the family Curculionidae. It can be found in numerous tropical areas around the world, and in the United States, and is a major pest of maize. This species attacks both standing crops and stored cereal products, including wheat, rice, sorghum, oats, barley, rye, buckwheat, peas, and cottonseed. The maize weevil also infests other types of stored, processed cereal products such as pasta, cassava, and various coarse, milled grains. It has even been known to attack fruit while in storage, such as apples.

<i>Rhynchophorus bilineatus</i> Species of beetle

Rhynchophorus bilineatus, common name Black Palm Weevil, is a species of beetles belonging to the family Curculionidae.

<i>Rhynchophorus</i> Genus of beetles

Rhynchophorus, or common name palm weevils, is a genus of beetles in the weevil family, Curculionidae. Palm weevils are major pests of various trees in the family Arecaceae throughout the tropics including: coconut, Areca catechu, species of the genus Phoenix, and Metroxylon sagu. Two species are invasive pests outside their native ranges, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Rhynchophorus palmarum.

<i>Rhynchophorus palmarum</i> Weevil pest of coconut-/date-/oil-palms

The South American palm weevil, Rhynchophorus palmarum, is a species of snout beetle. The adults are relatively large black beetles of approximately one and a half inch in length, and the larvae may grow to two inches in length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African Palm Weevil</span> Species of beetle

TheAfrican Palm Weevil or Rhynchophorus phoenicis is a species of beetles belonging to the family Curculionidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batak cuisine</span> Cuisine of the Batak people of Indonesia

Batak cuisine is the cuisine and cooking traditions of Batak ethnic groups, predominantly found in Northern Sumatra region, Indonesia. Batak cuisine is part of Indonesian cuisine, and compared to other Sumatran cuisine traditions, it is more indigenously preserved. One characteristic of Batak cuisine is its preference to andaliman as the main spice. That is why andaliman in Indonesia sometimes dubbed as "Batak pepper".

Deporaus marginatus, commonly known as the mango leaf-cutting weevil, is a species of leaf weevil in the beetle family Attelabidae. It is a light tan colour with black elytra, and is found in tropical Asia where it is a pest of mango.

Diocalandra frumenti, commonly known as the palm weevil borer, the lesser coconut weevil, or four-spotted coconut weevil, is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae. It occurs in Africa, Southern Asia and Northern Australia, and is a pest of coconut and other palm trees.

Euwallacea interjectus, is a species of weevil native to Asia but introduced to Westerns parts of the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mojojoy</span> Weevil larva

Mojojoy is the name of larvae of different palm weevils found in the Amazon region of Colombia, eaten as food and are known as a pest for various palm species. In Peru, it is known as suri or cocotero. The flavor has had different descriptions including resembling the taste hazelnut or butter. It is also considered a sustainable food source.

References

  1. "Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliver". Phytosanitary Alert System. North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO). 2009-01-26. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
  2. 1 2 3 Hoddle, Mark S.; Hoddle, Christina D.; Alzubaidy, Mohammed; Kabashima, John; Nisson, J. Nicholas; Millar, Jocelyn; Dimson, Monica (2016). "The palm weevil Rhynchophorus vulneratus is eradicated from Laguna Beach". California Agriculture . UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). 71 (1): 23–29. doi: 10.3733/ca.2016a0012 . ISSN   0008-0845.
  3. Orange County Register, "Destructive exotic beetle found in Laguna Beach."
  4. CDFA; Red Palm Weevil, Worst Known Pest of Palm Trees Detected in Laguna Beach
  5. Wattanapongsiri, A. 1966. A revision of the genera Rhynchophorus and Dynamis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Department of Agriculture Science Bulletin 1: 1-328
  6. Hallett, R.H., Crespi, B.J., Borden, J.H. 2004. Synonymy of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), 1790 and R. vulneratus (Panzer), 1798 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Rhynchophorinae). J. Nat. Hist. 38:2863-2882
  7. 1 2 3 Rugman-Jones, P.F.; C.D. Hoddle; M.S. Hoddle; R. Stouthamer (15 October 2013). "The Lesser of Two Weevils: Molecular-Genetics of Pest Palm Weevil Populations Confirm Rhynchophorus vulneratus (Panzer 1798) as a Valid Species Distinct from R. ferrugineus (Olivier 1790), and Reveal the Global Extent of Both". PLOS ONE. 8 (10): e78379. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...878379R. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078379 . PMC   3797061 . PMID   24143263.
  8. "Food documentary showcases Bruneian cuisines". 2 January 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  9. Adam Leith Gollner (11 June 2013). The Fruit Hunters: A Story of Nature, Adventure, Commerce, and Obsession. Simon and Schuster. pp. 86–. ISBN   978-1-4767-0499-9.
  10. 1 2 Tamara Thiessen (5 January 2016). Borneo. Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 190–. ISBN   978-1-84162-915-5.
  11. Kuan Leong Yew; Victoria Shinq Ling Kok (2012). "Exotic Food Anaphylaxis and the Broken Heart: Sago Worm and Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy" (PDF). Heart Centre, Sarawak General Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  12. Anna Vivienne (3 September 2012). "Magahavat: Celebrating sago". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  13. Hasairin, Ashar; Nasution, Aswarina (1 April 2021). "Kajian Etnobiologi Terites dan Kidu-Kidu Makanan Budaya Suku Batak Karo di Sumatera Utara". Journal of Tropical Ethnobotany: 29–33. ISSN   2722-0257 . Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  14. Charly Silaban, www.jeefuu.net. "Kidu, Si Ulat Enau · Silaban Brotherhood". Silaban.net. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  15. "Batak Karo, Extremes in Cuisine - the Jakarta Globe". Archived from the original on 2010-07-06. Retrieved 2010-11-02.

Additional resources