article_detail
Date Published: 22/06/2021
ARCHIVED - Traps to tackle pine processionary moths in Orihuela pine forests
The council of Orihuela, in Alicante province, is attempting to pre-empt the caterpillar problem which will follow later in the year
The Environmental department of Orihuela, in collaboration with the company Tratamiento de Levante, has placed 25 pheromone traps to capture pine processionary moths in different pine forests within the municipality.
The traps have been placed in strategic points, where the most caterpillar incidents were detected during the months of January and February, in order to capture as many moths as possible now that they are about to emerge from their cocoons.
The pine processionary species constitutes the most important defoliating threat in Mediterranean pine forests and the caterpillars are also harmful to humans and animals. On one hand, they attack pine trees causing defoliation and decreasing their growth, which makes the trees weak and, therefore, more vulnerable to other pests.
On the other hand, when this species are in the caterpillar stage of their life cycle, they can be harmful to both people and animals, causing irritation to the skin, eyes and nose, severe allergic reactions, and can even kill small animals, particularly dogs, making them a health risk in urban and recreational areas.
By using pheromone traps to capture the males of this species (thaumetopoea pityocampa), it is less likely that they will be able to breed with the females and hopefully there will be fewer of these insects next year.
This pest control method doesn´t use harmful chemicals and will be operational from June until September.
During the winter months when the caterpillars start to emerge, intensive spraying is carried out in major forests and urban areas with a larger presence of pine trees. Last December, a control treatment, using biological products, for pine processionary caterpillars was administered throughout the municipality.
However, total control is impossible, given the sheer volume of pine trees in not only the municipality, but also, Spain, with the same problem widespread anywhere that pine trees are found in any significant number, as they are, all along the Mediterranean coastline of Spain.
The Environmental department in Orihuela has indicated that they will continue to work towards controlling this pest, as well as other plagues, like mosquitoes.
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268