Invasive Species Spotted in Russ Pitman Park

The Citrus Root Weevil, a non-native, very active, and very damaging agricultural pest, was recently spotted in Russ Pitman Park.  This is the first known sighting of this particular pest in the Houston area, and its find is generating a buzz in the entomological community.  “The Citrus Root Weevil has a wide host range, attacking about 270 different plants including citrus, sugarcane, vegetables, potatoes, woody field-grown ornamentals, sweet potatoes, papaya, guava, mahogany, containerized ornamentals, and non-cultivated wild plants. A single larva can kill young hosts while several larvae can cause serious decline of older, established hosts. Because larvae are below ground, it is difficult to detect them before decline of above ground potions of the host is observed.  The reproducing capacity of this weevil is extremely high, a female can produce over 20,000 adults in four years.” ~ Mike Quinn, Entomologist

Please visit http://www.agr.state.tx.us/agr/main_render/0,1968,1848_27455_8568_0,00.html?channelId=27455 for more information about the Citrus Root Weevil and to see a photo for identification.  If you should happen to see this particular pest in Russ Pitman Park, or in you own yard, please collect the specimen, make note of the location where you found it, and report it to an NDC Staff member.