First Records of Two Invasive Weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Dryophthorinae) in Brazil with Quarantine Potential

Abstract

We report the first records in Brazil of Diocalandra frumenti (Fabricius) and Polytus mellerborgii (Boheman), weevil species of potential phytosanitary concern. These detections were made through surveys in the Entomological Collection of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (CERPE) and targeted field inspections in northeast Brazil. These findings expand the known distribution of these weevils in Brazil and underscore the need for enhanced phytosanitary surveillance due to their potential impact on crop production in other countries and the implications for quarantine regulations.

Introduction

Dryophthorinae, a subfamily of Curculionidae, includes about 1200 species in 153 genera and ten tribes (Anderson and Marvaldi 2014; Bouchard et al. 2024). Several species are serious agricultural pests of palms, bananas, rice, maize, sugarcane, and bromeliads (Anderson and Marvaldi 2014; Chamorro et al. 2021). Many of these pest species are widely distributed, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions (Chamorro et al. 2021). Due to their adaptability to diverse host plants and ability to establish in new environments, these weevils present a significant threat to global crop production and international trade. Their global spread is often facilitated by accidental introductions through international trade in ornamental and agricultural plants, combined with biological adaptability and increasing global connectivity (Chamorro et al. 2021; Skendžić et al. 2021; Hoddle et al. 2024).

Early detection of invasive weevils relies on a combination of strategies, including surveillance by phytosanitary agencies, incidental detection by local extension specialists, taxonomic identification by researchers, and community reporting (Hester and Cacho 2017; Blackburn et al. 2020; Epanchin-Niell et al. 2021). These detections highlight the need for proactive monitoring systems, rapid response protocols tailored to agricultural and peri-urban landscapes, and robust taxonomic frameworks for the fast and accurate identification of invasive species.

In this context, we report two new records of Dryophthorinae species, tribe Rhynchophorini, in Brazil, each with potential quarantine significance. These records were obtained through systematic surveys conducted in 2022 at the Entomological Collection of Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (CERPE). In 2022, during curatorial work in the Curculionoidea section of CERPE, six specimens of Rhynchophorini were discovered, all of which were collected manually near a fragment of the Atlantic Forest in Pernambuco State, Recife mesoregion, northeast Brazil. After morphological identification and literature review, two specimens were identified as Diocalandra frumenti (Fabricius) and two as Polytus mellerborgii (Boheman). All identifications were confirmed by Dr. Lourdes Chamorro (USDA-ARS, Systematic Entomology Laboratory).

Given the known associations of D. frumenti with coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L., Arecaceae) and P. mellerborgii with banana (Musa L. spp., Musaceae), we conducted targeted inspections in banana and coconut areas on the UFRPE campus in Recife, a site used for educational purposes. Although our primary objective here is to report the occurrence of these species, in the following sections, we present additional information on their biology, geographic distribution, and morphological features.

Diocalandra frumenti (Fabricius)—a palm-associated weevil with quarantine concern

Four specimens of D. frumenti were discovered in CERPE in 2022, collected manually near Atlantic Forest fragments in Camaragibe, Pernambuco (Fig. 1A, B). Targeted inspections of coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) on the UFRPE campus, Recife, yielded 61 additional adult specimens from galleries in leaf sheaths and petioles (Fig. 2A–D).

Fig. 1.

Distribution records for two Dryophthorinae species with quarantine relevance in Northeastern Brazil (A). Coconut production (in thousand fruits) by state in Northeastern Brazil in 2023, according to the IBGE (2025), and the locality where Diocalandra frumenti was recorded (B). Banana production (in tons) by state in Northeastern Brazil in 2023 (IBGE), and the locality where Polytus mellerborgii was recorded (C)

Fig. 2.

Injury signals of presence of Diocalandra frumenti and Polytus mellerborgii in coconut (A–D) and banana (E–H) plants. Adults (A and B) and pupa (C) of Diocalandra frumenti on petioles of coconut plants collected on Pernambuco (D). Adults of Polytus mellerborgii feeding on pseudostems (E and F) and rhizome (I) of banana plants in Pernambuco (H)

Native to the coastal regions of the Indian Ocean, D. frumenti is widely distributed across Asia, Africa, Oceania, and parts of Europe and South America (Hill 1983; Núñez et al. 2002; Xu et al. 2012; Kojima et al. 2017; Vacas et al. 2017; Gil et al. 2018; Nguyen et al. 2020). In Brazil, it was previously listed as absent (MAPA 2025), but this record represents its first confirmed occurrence in Pernambuco. Additionally, an independent record of the genus was recently posted on the iNaturalist platform, documenting an individual in the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, state of Rio de Janeiro, in November 2024 (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/253225277).

Adults of D. frumenti are shiny black, about 6–8 mm in length, with four red to brownish-yellow elytral spots (Fig. 3A, B). The pygidium lacks a sulcus and is covered with erect setae arranged in two to three median rows centrally and one lateral row on each side (Fig. 3C). Females oviposit in the crevices of palm stems, where they hatch within 4–9 days. Larvae develop over 8–10 weeks, feeding internally, and pupate 10–12 days before adult emergence (Howard et al. 2001). This species attacks at least 17 genera of Arecaceae, many of which are economically significant palms cultivated for food or landscaping, such as C. nucifera, Phoenix dactylifera L., Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud, and Elaeis guinensis Jacq (Vacas et al. 2017). The larvae of D. frumenti primary damage in the basal third of the leaf rachis by boring into the tissues, creating galleries that cause exudation, leading to premature desiccation and collapse (Salomone-Suárez et al. 2000; Ramos-Cordero et al. 2024). However, they can also bore into roots, petioles, inflorescences, fronds, leaf sheaths, and fruits, damaging the trunk at various heights. This damage weakens plants and promotes microbial infections (Singh and Barrikkad 2017; Vacas et al. 2017). Larvae create 1–2-mm galleries in the rachis basal third, disrupting vascular bundles. Severe attacks may kill trees within 6–8 months (Gil et al. 2018; Núñez et al. 2002; Ramos-Cordero et al. 2024).

Fig. 3.

Dorsal view (A), lateral view (B), and pygidium (C) of Diocalandra frumenti. Dorsal view (D), lateral view (E), and pygidium (F) of Polytus mellerborgii

Diocalandra frumenti is a key pest of coconut crops worldwide (Singh and Barrikkad 2017; Nguyen et al. 2020). In 2023, Pernambuco, the first Brazilian state reporting the presence of this species, produced 245.8 million fruits on 7790 hectares (IBGE 2025). Given Brazil is the fifth-largest coconut producer, with production concentrated mainly in coastal areas of the Northeast and North (IBGE 2025) (Fig. 1B), the establishment of D. frumenti may have serious economic implications.

Polytus mellerborgii (Boheman)—a cryptic banana pest in Northeastern Brazil

Two specimens were found in CERPE in 2022, collected in Pernambuco. Subsequent surveys in banana plantations on the UFRPE campus recovered dozens of adults from rhizomes and pseudostems by a manual sampling (Fig. 2E–H). In addition to this first confirmed record in Brazil, a recent observation in an urban area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, posted on iNaturalist (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71558650) also suggests a wider distribution.

Native to Southeast Asia, P. mellerborgii has been recorded in several regions across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, including Ecuador, Mexico, and more recently Colombia (Zimmerman 1941, 1968; González et al. 2007; Muñoz-Ruiz 2007; Núñez et al. 2002; Sepúlveda-Cano and Rubio-Gómez 2009; Peck 2017; de la Pava et al. 2020; MNHN and OFB 2025).

Polytus mellerborgii, commonly known as the small banana weevil (in Portuguese, “broca-pequena-da-bananeira”), is morphologically most similar to its congener Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar), another banana weevil borer. This species measures approximately 4 mm in length, has a black coloration, and exhibits dense, deep punctures covering most of the body (Fig. 3D–F). Males possess a large pygidial plate located near ventrites III to V, strongly projected downward, while females have a smaller pygidial plate projected forward (Sepúlveda-Cano and Rubio-Gómez 2009). It is primarily nocturnal and completes its life cycle inside banana rhizomes and pseudostems, typically in decaying tissues (Fig. 2E–G) (Ramírez and Espinosa 2009). Eggs are laid in wounds or decaying tissues, and larvae feed internally, creating galleries and potentially weakening the plant (González et al. 2007; Orellana 2007; Ramírez and Espinosa 2009; Yin et al. 2016).

Bananas are among the most widely consumed fruits globally (Medina and Ruales 2024; Garcés-Moncayo et al. 2025) and a major crop in Brazil, which ranks fourth in global production (IBGE 2024). Despite the socioeconomic importance of the banana agribusiness in Brazil, phytosanitary issues remain a significant challenge for the crop. The recent detection of P. mellerborgii in Pernambuco, the fifth-largest banana-producing state in Brazil (IBGE 2024) (Fig. 1C), may represent an additional limiting factor that warrants the attention of regulatory agencies and producers. Notably, the last record of the introduction of this species in South America was reported recently in Colombia (de la Pava et al. 2020), highlighting its rapid dispersion across major banana-growing regions on the continent. Although the impacts of P. mellerborgii in Brazil are still uncertain, its presence could represent a new challenge for the national banana industry.

Concluding remarks

These new records expand the known distribution of D. frumenti and P. mellerborgii, highlighting their potential quarantine relevance. The detections underscore the vulnerability of Brazil to the invasive Dryophthorinae, especially given intense global trade and climatic suitability, which can facilitate the rapid movement and establishment of pests. The limited knowledge of the biology and ecology of these species in the Brazilian context reinforces the need for further research to evaluate their potential impacts on agriculture and native ecosystems. Investigations into their life cycles, host preferences, dispersal mechanisms, and interactions with native species are essential to assess their status as pests and guide appropriate management strategies. Accurate taxonomic identification remains necessary for rapid response and effective phytosanitary action. These findings reinforce the need for updated pest risk assessments, continuous monitoring, and improved regulation of plant material movement.

Author contribution

Aline O. Lira: writing—original draft, writing—review and editing, conceptualization, methodology, investigation, data curation. Andrezo A. Santos: writing—review and editing, methodology, conceptualization, data curation. Helio N.B. da Silva: writing—review, investigation, data curation. Paschoal C. Grossi: conceptualization, writing—review and editing, supervision.

Funding

The Article Processing Charge (APC) for the publication of this research was funded by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) (ROR identifier: 00x0ma614). This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE) (Project No BFP-0103-2.04/24) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq (Process number 312917/2022-8 PQ2).

Declarations

Ethical approval

Not applicable.

Human and animal rights

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.