Billaea rhynchophorae, a palm weevil parasitoid with global potential

The American palm weevil, Rhynchophorus palmarum, is the main primary pest of palms in tropical America and the principal vector of the red ring disease, the major phytosanitary problem of coconut and oil palm in South America. The current management of the problem is based on the capture of adult weevils with aggregation pheromone and the elimination of diseased palms, a system difficult to implement for smallholder producers. Biocontrol agents of the weevil, the tachinid parasitoids Billaea spp., are known with limited distribution in Bahía State of Brazil. Their introduction and release in affected areas could greatly improve the natural control of the weevils. Furthermore, these parasitoids are known to attack palm-boring weevils in five different genera and could be a new control option for the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, the worst pest of palms worldwide. The collection, rearing and study of these parasitoids for introduction in new areas are the aim of this study. A detailed analysis of the necessary steps to comply with regulatory aspects and a research programme to ensure biosafety is described.