The bumblebee plague, which has greatly reduced the almond harvest, is advancing unstoppably in the province of Alicante, despite the measures taken by the Ministry of Agriculture to combat it. Farmers continue to demand more speed and power to stop production. “Eurytoma amygdali Enderlein”a flying insect that produces very high financial losses and its presence was first detected in Alicante in July 2017.
The almond wasp was found on two farms in Biar with an affected area of particularly 50 hectares. Already in 2019 it had expanded across the agricultural area. Pena Rubia de Villena and according to the terms Sax-Castalla and Villena-Salinas. A year later, in June 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture warned that progress was continuing, and indeed Foia de Castalla and Upper and Middle Vinalopó added as a new spread of the plague, Alicante and Marina Baixa.
Exactly two weeks ago, in March 2022, the Department of Agriculture’s Phytosanitary Department detected the first emergence of adult wasp specimens in almonds affected by the previous campaign at some farms in Marina Baixa. “Given the different rhythm of the pest cycle in different farms, to adjust the moment of emergence of adults, tracing in the most personalized way possible. After the adults leave, four or five days later, a treatment with one of the permitted pesticides should be carried out”, Conselleria technicians, authorized plant health these are: 79% paraffin oil; lambda cyhalothrin at 1.5%, 2.5% and 10%; Pyrethrins at 4% and Spirotetramate at 10%.
New announcement from the Ministry at Marina Baixa
In 2020, Agriculture made a new update on the state of the pest in the world. Valencian Community and the development of the plague is monitored annually to issue relevant treatment notifications for actions to eliminate or minimize the damage caused by the wasp. This is something that is already happening in 2022 Low Marina and in High Palancia from Castellon.
To address this new threat to the field, Ministry technicians also hold regular meetings with those in charge of the Cooperatives. There have already been two meetings this year. a pinoso and the other requena.
One of the main problems with the successful eradication of the pest is the abandoned almond farms, where the bumblebee breeds. Well, to control and manage these areas, when Conselleria receives a complaint, a request is sent to take immediate action by applying recommended phytosanitary treatments to prevent the spread of the pest. The affected person may also uproot and burn almond trees so that these empty fields do not become the focus of the people. spread your insect. If you ignore this, you can be punished.
However, agricultural organizations Requires the council Allocating a certain financial item to cover these costs. Currently unanswered request.
Another threat to the field after Xylella
In short, it is another threat to the Alicante countryside, as farmers have suffered for years from the devastating effects of the bacteria Xylella fastidiosa, which has destroyed thousands of olive and citrus trees.
At least the damage done by the bumblebee plague do not affect the tree, so that big starts are avoided and they are not quick or aggressive. When mature, it lays its eggs inside the almond and grows by feeding on seeds until the larvae become nymphs. Hence the difficulty in detecting its presence. Only when the harvest is harvested – or in the previous weeks – can the true extent of the damage caused be measured.
Another feature that distinguishes this pest from Xylella fastidiosa is plant protection products It is authorized in the Registry of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. However, they are expensive and manufacturers need to be made aware of the need to implement them for the good of the industry. Additionally, infected kernels cannot be used for animal feed, stove fuel, or other uses.
technicians University of Valencia They continue to experiment with the effectiveness of a variety of phytosanitary, ecological and biological treatments to stop the insect’s progress and wipe out its population. There are high hopes for the release of a predatory wasp parasite that does not harm the ecosystem, but the measure is still in the experimental stage.
Experts consulted by this paper fear that Hymenoptera is creating a devastating plague that spreads exponentially and rapidly. very difficult to detect and deal with in time.
A great study from some agricultural organizations in the province awareness and advice to enable wasp-affected ranchers to collect and burn the almonds that remained mummified by the effect of the larvae and did not fall from the tree. However, it is still expected that the agricultural authorities of the Community, provincial and local administrations will force the removal of all the almond trees planted in the abandoned fields.
These farms are diffuse focus and it is vital to act accordingly for the measures to be effective.
Plague reached the Valencian Community in 2016
It was July 2010 when the almond wasp plague became known to exist. Spain. It is suspected to have arrived on uncontrolled imports from South Asia and was first detected in the state. albacete. But in February 2016 there was already evidence of the existence of Hymenoptera in various parts of the Valencian Community. especially Cofrentes-Ayora Valley and La Plana Utiel-Requena. Eighteen months later, in the province of Alicante Alto Vinalopó.
Adult females lay their eggs inside the almonds when they are in the growth phase. peeled bark. This larva They grow by feeding on the hatched eggs in summer and winter. ingots The commercial part of the almond, which is completely useless worms completing their transformation chrysalisthat the adult stages will emerge later. It is in April when they start to lay a new egg, from which they can lay the almonds. 50 to 100 eggs. That’s when the ideal moment arises to destroy them for their greatest success. security bug.