Buenos Aires – He National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa) declared the phytosanitary alert for the entire national territory with respect to Rhynchophorus ferrugineuscommonly called red palm weevila quarantine pest absent in Argentinawhich is considered the most destructive at a global level and can damage more than 35 species of palm trees.
The measure established in Resolution 1218/2024 comes into force today, after its publication in the Official Gazette.
The aforementioned standard aims, through public-private inter-institutional work, to strengthen actions to determine the situation of the red palm weevil in the country, to achieve a rapid response in the event of its detection, as well as informing researchers, producers and society in general of the situation.
In that sense, the Resolution establishes the prevention, detection, containment and eradication measures in relation to this insect as well as the Mandatory reporting upon detection of suspicious presence and/or damage of the red palm weevil.
On the other hand, the norm creates the Interinstitutional Technical Committee on the Red Palm Weevil, which will be oriented by the National Directorate of Plant Protection of Senasato coordinate actions, share knowledge, define phytosanitary procedures and strategies for the prevention, control and/or sustainable management of the pest.
About the Red Palm Weevil
It is a gregarious insect (lives in groups) that attacks palm trees both in nurseries and at any stage of their development and The damage it causes is rapid and severe, ranging from the fall of leaves to the death of the plant.. Its head is narrow, with a long and thin beak, like its body. Its color is reddish or orange and has black spots. It can measure up to 5 cm.
The pest is present in Uruguay, where it has rapidly expanded its area of presence and this increases the pressure of entry of the pest into Argentina.
For more information or if you suspect the presence of the insect, contact Argentine National Pest Surveillance and Monitoring System (Sinavimo) entering their website.
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