Alert for a new forest pest
Affects poplar and fruit plantations in Patagonia
It is the poplar moth (Leucoptera sinuella), an insect that could affect the production of fruit trees that are close to salicaceae curtains. INTA together with two universities in Chile, Senasa, Conicet and private sector leaders work on the identification, monitoring and management of field management tools. Its early detection is essential to prevent its spread.
The poplar moth (Leucoptera sinuella) is a leaf-mining pest, which was detected for the first time in Chile, in 2015, on curtains of salicaceae -poplars, willows-.
Its detection in Patagonia took place at the beginning of 2023, during an insect monitoring campaign carried out in northern Neuquén by entomologists Federico D'Hervé and Anabel Olave from Senasa and the National University of Comahue respectively, who reported the species to the National Surveillance and Monitoring System (Sinavimo).
Although it is a pest of foresters, in the last generations when the larvae complete their development they can affect the fruit trees surrounding the poplar curtains, which can cause rejections during fresh fruit exports.
For this reason, the Plant Health Area of INTA Alto Valle –Río Negro– together with the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso and the Universidad de Talca –Chile–, Senasa, Conicet and private sector references work on the identification, monitoring and management of management tools in the field.
To identify the poplar moth, Silvina Garrido, INTA Alto Valle specialist, described: “Adults are small white moths whose first pair of wings has a black spot and three orange stripes. Its larvae mine the interior of the mesophyll of the leaves and their pupae are covered by a silky white cocoon with a very characteristic “H” shape.
IT MAY INTEREST YOU
The magical forest with the highest trees in the world is in Cantabria
The Sectuoyas Park of Cabezón de la Sal has 850 trees and is a plan to enjoy a day of nature and green silence
Why are houses in the United States?
In several regions of the United States, houses are still made of wood. I discovered what is the true reason why this is still so.
Build between branches: a sample of contemporary architecture of houses in the trees
Despite their capricious appearance, houses in the trees offer a unique platform for structural innovations and design explorations.
