To protect Argentine palm trees from the entry of the fearsome red palm weevil that ravages Uruguay, Senasa published a series of recommendations

Although absent in our country, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, commonly known as the red palm weevil, is one of the quarantine pests on Senasa's radar. Given that it is already wreaking havoc in Uruguay, a Phytosanitary Alert has been in effect since October of last year, seeking to prevent its entry. Now, the agency has issued a series of recommendations to take into account to protect native and ornamental varieties of this species. One of the most important is the safe acquisition of palm trees, starting with the purchase of plants from nurseries registered in the National Phytosanitary Registry of Plant Propagation Material Operators (RENFO), which are subject to strict controls. Another key point is reducing pruning, since wounds caused on the plant release chemical substances (kairomones) that attract this insect. "If pruning is essential, it should be done during the winter, between June and August, when adult red palm weevils are not flying. Remove only dry tissue, ...