Solution found to deal with insect that destroys citrus trees
citrus spiny whitefly
10 Jun 2022
/ 19:03
CORFU. Corfu’s citrus trees have been severely damaged by the citrus spiny whitefly.
The serious problem that has arisen following the appearance of the insect in the island’s lemon and orange trees is attempted to be overcome by attacking the citrus spiny whitefly, which has caused serious damage to citrus trees in Corfu, in a biological and natural way.
The citrus spiny whitefly appeared for the first time in Corfu in 2016 causing extensive damage and deterioration. Corfu's citrus fruits have already suffered severe damage and the production of oranges and lemons is now very low, as the insect sucks all the juice from the leaves and the trunk, thus making the affected plants black.
The solution
One solution that is now being sought in order to deal with this important problem is to place beneficial insects that feed on the harmful ones. This is a method that has already been applied with excellent results in areas abroad, such as Japan, Florida, Texas and South East Asia, which had faced exactly the same issue.
“With patience and persistence, we managed to convince the Minister of Rural Development and Food and the Benaki Phytopathological Institute to deal with this issue, as well as with the way to manage and fight the citrus spiny whitefly. Thus, with much effort and the help of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food General Secretary Christiana Kalogirou, the Benaki Phytopathological Institute's programme was funded with €228,000 in order to deal with this issue for three years.
So, the time has come for the Benaki Institute to find and check the insects that will be used to fight this plant disease,” the Deputy Regional Governor for Agricultural Economy and Rural Development Sotiris Kouris told Enimerosi.
Inspections
The Benaki Institute General Director Panayiotis Mylonas, along with Mr. Kouris and the Corfu Regional Unit's agronomist Nikos Soupionis, conducted last Tuesday inspections throughout the island, so that the programme can finally be implemented. The areas in the world where the citrus spiny whitefly has been fought with great success have already been identified and the team that will travel to bring the beneficial insect is ready.
Once this insect arrives it will be isolated and observed in a closed laboratory at the Institute to determine whether it is safe for other plants. It will then be placed in selected areas of Corfu that have been affected by the citrus spiny whitefly, which will be monitored by the scientists. After that, the insect will be completely free to do its work.
The whole process will take 6 months and the problem will be dealt with in one growing season. “The literature and scientific observations from where this method has been applied have been 100% successful. I am closely monitoring the whole process and management of this issue and I hope that everything will go well,” said Mr. Kouris.
The citrus spiny whitefly appeared for the first time in Corfu in 2016 causing extensive damage and deterioration. Corfu's citrus fruits have already suffered severe damage and the production of oranges and lemons is now very low, as the insect sucks all the juice from the leaves and the trunk, thus making the affected plants black.
The solution
One solution that is now being sought in order to deal with this important problem is to place beneficial insects that feed on the harmful ones. This is a method that has already been applied with excellent results in areas abroad, such as Japan, Florida, Texas and South East Asia, which had faced exactly the same issue.
“With patience and persistence, we managed to convince the Minister of Rural Development and Food and the Benaki Phytopathological Institute to deal with this issue, as well as with the way to manage and fight the citrus spiny whitefly. Thus, with much effort and the help of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food General Secretary Christiana Kalogirou, the Benaki Phytopathological Institute's programme was funded with €228,000 in order to deal with this issue for three years.
So, the time has come for the Benaki Institute to find and check the insects that will be used to fight this plant disease,” the Deputy Regional Governor for Agricultural Economy and Rural Development Sotiris Kouris told Enimerosi.
Inspections
The Benaki Institute General Director Panayiotis Mylonas, along with Mr. Kouris and the Corfu Regional Unit's agronomist Nikos Soupionis, conducted last Tuesday inspections throughout the island, so that the programme can finally be implemented. The areas in the world where the citrus spiny whitefly has been fought with great success have already been identified and the team that will travel to bring the beneficial insect is ready.
Once this insect arrives it will be isolated and observed in a closed laboratory at the Institute to determine whether it is safe for other plants. It will then be placed in selected areas of Corfu that have been affected by the citrus spiny whitefly, which will be monitored by the scientists. After that, the insect will be completely free to do its work.
The whole process will take 6 months and the problem will be dealt with in one growing season. “The literature and scientific observations from where this method has been applied have been 100% successful. I am closely monitoring the whole process and management of this issue and I hope that everything will go well,” said Mr. Kouris.
