Attacks of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus on natural specimens of dwarf fan palm Chamaerops humilis in Sicily.

The red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus was recently introduced into Europe where ithas destroyed many Phoenix canariensis palms. This weevil attacks different species of palms in differentcountries, mainly cultivated date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) in Egypt and cultivated Canarypalms (Phoenix canariensis) in Europe. In Europe, sporadic attacks of the weevil to native dwarf fanpalm (Chamaerops humilis) have been reported. The current paper reports attacks of R. ferrugineuson dwarf fan palms in natural environments of Sicily. This insect represents an important threat todwarf palms and to the complex ecosystem where they live.