Following the identification of the presence of the ‘palm beetle’ in Porto Santo, the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) has issued a request “to not cut the green leaves of these trees,” to prevent the proliferation of this pest in the remaining palm trees.
As explained in a note sent to media outlets, the cutting of these leaves “attracts the palm beetle who subsequently lays its eggs in the tree, therefore creating the optimum breeding ground for this pest, especially during the summer months.”
The IFCN further assures that, since the detection of this pest, measures considered appropriate to mitigate this problem were immediately initiated, and the application of a highly effective insecticide
“However, it is considered that complementary mitigating measures should be adopted, highlighting the prohibition of the transport of palm trees from the island of Madeira to the island of Porto Santo and, above all, no cutting of leaves.”
The IFCN, together with the local authorities, assures everyone that they are using every measure possible to mitigate the situation.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
