Island Date Palm Phoenix Canariensis Research Articles

Graphiola phoenicis associated with false smut on Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) in Korea

AbstractLeaf spots and smut‐like symptoms have been observed on the Canary Island date palm Phoenix canariensis in Korea since 2021. The fungus associated with the false smut was identified as Graphiola phoenicis based on the morphological characteristics and molecular sequence analysis of the large subunit region of the rDNA. This study reports the novel occurrence of G. phoenicis on P. canariensis in Korea and provides mycological information of the Korean isolates.

Consumption of Canary Island Date Palm Phoenix canariensis drupes by Pied Currawongs Strepera graculina

In Australia, Canary Island Date Palms Phoenix canariensis are ubiquitous, widely planted as ornamental trees in private gardens and along streets and seaside promenades. Seeding freely, a single female palm can produce up to 30,000 fleshy drupes annually. Pied Currawongs Strepera graculina, which can swallow several drupes whole in a single feeding event, present as a major vector in the plant’s dispersal. Based on observations of feeding behaviour as well as an examination of resulting regurgitated pellets, this paper discusses critical factors that influence the performance of Pied Currawongs as a vector of palms. Pied Currawongs exhibit drupe selection preferences, which seem related to a drupe’s ripeness and nutritional value, and a feeding behaviour that consists of short bouts of consumption, followed by longer periods of digestion at nearby perches. As increased ripening of the fruit correlates with an increased maturation of the seed, resulting in a higher germination rate, and as repeated use of nearby perches increases the density of regurgitated seeds, such behaviour has implications on the effectiveness of Pied Currawongs as dispersers of Canary Island Date Palms.

Highly Decorated Lignins in Leaf Tissues of the Canary Island Date Palm Phoenix canariensis.

The cell walls of leaf base tissues of the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) contain lignins with the most complex compositions described to date. The lignin composition varies by tissue region and is derived from traditional monolignols (ML) along with an unprecedented range of ML conjugates: ML-acetate, ML-benzoate, ML-p-hydroxybenzoate, ML-vanillate, ML-p-coumarate, and ML-ferulate. The specific functions of such complex lignin compositions are unknown. However, the distribution of the ML conjugates varies depending on the tissue region, indicating that they may play specific roles in the cell walls of these tissues and/or in the plant's defense system.

Leaf Consumption Capacity and Damage Projection of Octodonta nipae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Three Palm Species

Abstract The nipa palm hispid, Octodonta nipae (Maulik) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is considered to be the most important invasive pest of palms in southern China. To evaluate the differences in the damage potential of O. nipae on three different host palms, the daily feeding rates of O. nipae were studied based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. There were no significant differences in consumption rate during the first to third instar among palm species. However, O. nipae consumed a greater area on Chinese windmill palm Trachycarpus fortunei (Hooker) H. Wendland and Canary Island date palm Phoenix canariensis Chabaud leaves than on pygmy date palm Phoenixroebelenii O' Brien leaves. Females consumed more food than males on all three palms tested. The net consumption rates were 11,007.6, 8,998.0, and 5,773.5 square millimeters per individual for O. nipae reared on Chinese windmill palm, Canary Island date palm, and pygmy date palm, respectively. The host palm had a significant effect on consumption by both male and female O. nipae, and the damage potential was higher on Chinese windmill palm and Canary Island date palm. According to the finite consumption rate, O. nipae could cause more severe damage on Chinese windmill palm and Canary Island date palm than on pygmy date palm. These results provide the first assessment of leaf area consumed and the potential damage by O. nipae on three host palms. Population projections based on age-stage, two-sex life tables, and stage-specific consumption rates can reveal the stage structure and damage potential of the pest population. This approach offers a promising tool for quantitative assessment of the feeding capacity of this invasive beetle.

Survey of Auchenorrhyncha (Insecta: Homoptera) Associated with the Canary Island Date Palm in Southern Texas

A survey of the Auchenorrhyncha (Insecta: Homoptera) associated with the Canary Island date palm Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chab., in southern Texas was conducted. Twenty-eight species were collected by various means: a yellow sticky trap, a trap consisting of a frond coated with a tacky material, vacuum samples, and visual collections. Myndus crudus Van Duzee, a suspected vector of lethal yellowing of coconut palms in Florida, was collected and is a new record for Texas. The most abundant species collected was Oliarus acicus Caldwell. Oliarus aridus Ball also was collected. All 3 species belong to the Family Cixiidae and are implicated as potential vectors of lethal yellowing of Canary Island date palms in Texas.