The Valencia City Council is going to ask for authorization to be able to use even exceptionally, an active substance that is effective for the treatment of the cochineal infestation that more than seven thousand trees, located especially in the Ensanche of Valencia, but also in other neighborhoodsgiven that the only compound authorized to date, “Acetamiprid” has been shown to be ineffective as can be seen by appreciating the degree of infestation that some specimens of melias have.
The Valencia City Council recognizes that the specimens of “Melia azedarach” are currently affected by a pest called “brown mealybug” (Pulvinaria psiddi Maskell). and that since 2021, there has been an increase in this pest, which has caused the specimens to infest. This mealybug secretes a honeydew that causes dirt on sidewalks and vehicles parked on public roads. A sticky mess that also dirties commercial basements or the homes of residents in the area by spreading it with their footsteps.
In any case, the Parks and Gardens Service emphasizes that The depletion of the specimens of this species has not been contemplatedas the municipal opposition denounced this week. «The objective is and always has been to combat the plague. Logically, as it is a newly introduced pest, it is necessary to study it until it can be controlled,” they point out.
And they admit that “yes they can be done specific killings of those specimens that are in regression and that may pose a risk of falling onto public roads, “but as is done with any tree specimen, regardless of its species to guarantee the safety of citizens.”
The technical meaning of the word “regression” refers to tree specimens that are in the final cycle of the tree’s life, which is characterized by the lack of vigor of the specimen, by the detachment of branches, because the tree is depleting reserves, due to reduction in crown size, leaf discoloration, and other symptoms. Therefore, when they enter this cycle, they must be demolished and renewed to avoid the danger of falling, which would also pose a risk to citizens.
To replace the trees felled for this reason, tree specimens of other species, other than Melia azedarach, will be planted to prevent them from being attacked by this specific pest.
Following the instructions of the Department of Agroforestry Ecosystems of the Higher Technical School of Agronomic and Natural Environment of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, an organization with which the Parks and Gardens Service has an advisory agreement for the control of pests and diseases that affect To the tree specimens of the city of Valencia, two endotherapy treatments (injection into the trunk) have been carried out during 2024. The first puncture was carried out during the months of March and April and the second puncture during the months of June and July. Both treatments were carried out on the 7,500 specimens of this species in the city of Valencia. Additionally, during the month of September, potassium soap was applied to clean the treetops.
The phytosanitary products authorized by the Ministry of the Presidency must meet certain specific requirements that establish the framework of action to achieve sustainable use of phytosanitary products.
Specifically, to control this pest, the only product authorized in the current year 2024 is being used, Acetamiprid, which until now has not shown effective control of the pest, so from the Polytechnic University of Valencia together with the technicians of the Parks and Gardens Service, once the data has been collected that demonstrate that the authorized active product is not effective for the control of this pest, a special authorization will be requested from the competent authority to allow, even if exceptionally , the use of another active material that is effective in controlling this tree pest.
The City Council recalls that this cochineal has three generations, the first between February/March, the second in June and the third in August/September, and may vary in some months depending on the weather conditions, so starting in October They will stop causing discomfort.
