CRETAN PALM UNDER THREAT

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[ note - click on images for larger versions ]

We are very saddened to have to tell members and supporters that, last week, Rosemary found a dead male specimen of the destructive Red Palm Weevil in the square in Elounda. 

This insect is a threat to the forest of the endemic Cretan Palm Phoenix theophrasti at Vai and Preveli and every effort needs to be taken to try to stop its progress.  It has been found in Aghios Nikolaos and along the coast between Heraklion and Milatos, where many infected trees have already died.

All the relevant authorities have been informed and we will let you know what steps are being taken to control this threat.

In the meantime, we are posting a photograph of this weevil.  If you find this insect, please destroy it and keep the remains.  Please photograph it and send details to us at Flowers of Crete, so that we can pass the information on to the authorities.  Severely affected trees have to be destroyed, but other trees in the area can be sprayed and pheromone traps can be set to capture flying weevils. 

As you can see from the top image it is a large insect and a strong flyer.

Rosemary and I have been in touch with Kallia Pediatitis at MAICH - the Mediterranean Agricultural Institute - who has made a comprehensive study of the Cretan Palm and we are taking advice from her on the ways that Flowers of Crete can help with passing on information.  The town council of Elounda is also aware of the situation and will be taking steps to deal with it.

John Fielding, co-author of Flowers of Crete, has generously offered to write an article for our next newsletter and there will be more information on the threats to Phoenix theophrasti in the October issue, which will be sent out early next week. If you live on Crete please be aware that this danger has come from infested, imported palms.  People who buy these will not only lose their investment because the palm will most certainly die, but they will pass the threat onto other established trees within a large area.  It is essential that developers in the far east of the island do not attempt to buy in these imported palms.

Please pass this information on to anyone on Crete who may be interested in this problem.  The more people who understand the dangers, the better the chances of making a difference will be. It will take a huge effort on the part of all of us to try to combat this threat and the odds are stacked against us. 




The weevil is also proving a problem in the Algarve, in southern Portugal: see story in the Algarve Resident.