New record of Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Arecanut (Areca catechu) from Meghalaya, India

Abstract

The red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus was newly recorded in 2008-2010, from 5 districts of Meghalaya, India and from a total of 7 districts surveyed in all bordering (India-Bangladesh) areas. There are isolated distributions of RPW indicating rapid spread in the state. The pest may migrate to other Indian states in the near future causing threat to Arecanut plantations. Our finding appears to be the first published report of RPW on Arecanut in this country. The programme was funded by ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Research Complex for Northeastern Hill Region, Barapani, Meghalaya.