The mulberry trees of Athens were attacked by a beetle called Xylotrechus chinensis. Demon Due to insufficient control, the last years have been destroying the “silkworm”.
It is a wood-eating insect (Xylotrechus chinensis), which causes serious damage to the trunk and branches of trees, and may even cause their death.
Athens Municipality implemented a plan to protect mulberry trees from this insect in early July in coordination with the Greening Department.
The program, which is the result of a wider collaboration with the Benakeio Institute of Phytopathology, the Agricultural University of Athens and the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems, includes the injection of a plant protection drug into the tree trunks.
So far, infusion work has been completed on 5100 trees, and it is planned to reach 8000 by the end of August. After the completion of the program, recording of results and publication of results will continue.
Since the control is not carried out enough, the insect imported from China has been wiping out the “silkworm” in recent years. The emergence of Xylotrechus chinensis was first observed in the city in 2019-2020 and has caused severe damage and loss of 5,000 trees to date.
“Considering that mulberry trees are one of the most important tree species with many ecological benefits in streets and parks, it is necessary to take measures to protect them,” said the statement of the municipality of Athens, “the main criterion is the preservation of natural capital through the application of an action plan, innovative equipment and scientific methods. and the protection of urban greenery”.