The adult wevil body length is between 10-19mm, body colour is black, without dorsal scales.
The genus Scyphophorus has two species: S. acupunctatus - Sisal weevil and S. yucca - Yucca weevil.

Please follow this link to the PaDIL (Pests and Diseases Image Library) species content page to view diagnostic images of S. acupunctatus as well as a list of characteristics that separate the two species. (Walker, 2008a).

The life cycle takes about 50 – 90 days (Netherlands Plant Protection Service, 2009)

Scyphophorus acupunctatus is a specialist insect attacking plants belonging to the Agavaceae and Dracaenaceae (Ruiz-Montiel et al, 2008). It attacks sisal (Agave sisalana) and other plants such as ornamentals (Beaucarnea, Dasylirion and Yucca, Tuberose, Polianthes tuberosa) (Walker 2008c). Larvae and adults of this species are found in roots, lower leaves, and inside the heads, especially on plants already in the process of putrefaction.

Mating and oviposition take place predominantly on the bottom of the leaves or inside the agave head (Lock, 1962 as seen in Ruiz-Montiel et al, 2008)

Scyphophorus acupunctatus is becoming a major pest of native Agavaceae and Dracaenaceae species worldwide. Native to Mexico, it has decimated populations of Agave crops there, in particular species used in the tequila and henequen industries (Hernandez et al, 2006; Bolanos et al, 2007). The importation of ornamental Agave plants worldwide has facilitated S. acupunctatus to establish in many parts of the world, particularly in Central America and the Carribean, in Africa, Asia and South America. On its host species, it causes rot and sometimes mortality due to its larvae boring holes which then facilitates micro-organims entering the host that decompose the plant tissues (Hernandez et al, 2007). S. acupunctatus has also been shown to be a vector of Erwinia carotovora which decomposes the host, causing putrefaction (Solis-Aguillar et al, 2001).

Preventative measures: The Division of Fish and Wildlife on the island of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, has undertaken public awareness information programmes to educate the public on native wildlife and what they can do to help protect them (Platenburg & Valiulis, 2009). The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, on Curaçao, part of the Netherlands Antilles, has developed a presentation that discusses past introductions of alien species and their effects on native biodiversity as well as alert species that can pose new threats to the islands; Scyphophorus acupunctatus has been identified as a potential invasive. This presentation is given to Customs, Aerocargo, Department of Agriculture personnel, importers of plants, nature groups and the public in general in order to raise awareness (van Buurt, 2009).

Chemical: Due to individuals being found within host plants and not externally, typical insecticides have proven ineffective. However current research has shown that isolated pheromones (Ruiz-Montiel et al, 2008) combined with effective collection tools like a Victor Trap could prove to be a potential control agent (Valdez et al, 2005).