Beetles threaten survival of local fig trees - timesofmalta.com

Hope they get over it...

Dang sad!

the beetle also happens to be here so they started growing figs in netted structures.

read few different article regarding figs beetles in malta. it seems they are causing lot of problems. lot of damage to the fig trees. there has to be some sort of chemical to control them if the problem is this big. 

Here there where lots of fig trees untill about  mid 20th century that the beetles (not the band) were introduced and destroyed all the crops. since than i think farmers are scared to grow figs. they can wipe out a tree or a whole farm .

That's terrible.

I remember when the Emerald Ash Borer made its' way here in Michigan. It decimated the ash trees.
Had one in front of my house that was taken down by the city.

If memory serves me. I believe it made its' way here via a shipping container or crate.

In my belief,
It isn't always a plant material that introduces these pest to a new or foreign land. I think with all these containers (1,000's) coming from Europe, Africa, Asia, south America and Middle East and along with the planes something is bound to hitch a ride in one form or another.

As for the control of the introduction, I think (for the most part ) we are looking at the wrong places.

Admire soil drench or trunk implant should wipe them out although that would only work once they bite into the tree, maybe the birds could be attracted to the trees to eat them instead and some how keep them from eating figs?

the serious problem here is also that people cant get attached to their trees which is sad-

I cry if i loose a tree in a 1 gallon pot. imagine what would happen if i would loose a 30 year old tree to a stupid beetle....

I was aware of the use of screenhouses in Israel and was wondering also if anyone has started using them in Malta.  With production down about 75% and the demand seemingly being pretty good, it seems like there is an opportunity for someone there with the capital.

Any rampant destructive insect can wipe out many varieties of whatever it is on which they enjoy munching.  Yes, this is the fig forum, but this is the reason I use Bayer products with Imacloprid (mandated by my visit from the dept of agriculture) on my citrus and vineyard.  I have seen major vineyards wiped out from the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter, and most of California Citrus is under quarantine due to the Asian Citrus Psyllid which spreads the Citrus Greening disease.  I am not aware that this beetle has invaded the USA, but I have the stuff to fight it!   It's not cheap but better than losing our vineyard and citrus, and anything else to destructive pests.

Do they not have this pesticide in Malta?  Is the beetle immune?

I have driven through the rocky mountains of Colorado in tears from looking at the damage of the pine beetle to the beautiful natural forests.  This is not an orchard type bug, but it destroys our forests!  I think they spray for it, but it's a sad thing to see it.

Suzi

PS Bee lovers, I have more bees and butterflies and hummers than I want, so Bayer Merit is not killing those beneficial creatures. 
It kills sucking and biting insects, but not the pollinators. 

Are we talking about this insect ?

http://www7.inra.fr/hyppz/RAVAGEUR/6hypfic.htm#ima

https://www.google.pt/search?q=scolyte+du+figuier&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Nl8aU6rRH6TmywPB54G4Cw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=614

not sure if they are the same bugs. the article regarding malta doesn't go into the beetle that is causing the problem other than to call it "susa". i used to know a lot of vietnam vets. both koreans and americans. they used to talk about the enemies they can not see. ones they can see is not a problem. they shoot them and end of the story. but the ones they can not see or can not id as foe or friend are always an issue. korean military had very simple rules of an engagement. shoot if the do not hold their hand up showing empty hands. then there is another enemy. they used to call it shell shock. now they have a medical term for it. 

it's gin typing :)