by Lesley McLaren
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There's just over a month to go before this year's moths and weevils will complete their metamorphosis in our palms, and fly off, looking for mates. And so the cycle of life - and destruction of trees - will continue.
The abdomens of female moths are much longer than those of the males - so designed, I suppose, not only for egg storage but to assist with egg laying. You can see how effective this one is at getting into those hard-to-reach areas on the trunk of this palm. Such a shame they are so beautiful!
The abdomens of female moths are much longer than those of the males - so designed, I suppose, not only for egg storage but to assist with egg laying. You can see how effective this one is at getting into those hard-to-reach areas on the trunk of this palm. Such a shame they are so beautiful!
Small wonder it's hard to prevent infestation. And for those trees obviously affected and beyond rescue (treatment is costly and probably unlikely to work long-term), it's best they are destroyed over the next few weeks, to limit the spread as much as possible. A lost cause perhaps?
I tend to think the fate of the palm is sealed. We lost ours last spring (amazing how quickly it deteriorated), and another seven or eight have been felled nearby in the last six months. Others were left, sick and dying, throughout the summer. And you can understand why. The cost of hiring an accredited gardener is off-putting if not unaffordable for some people. A large proportion of the cost for ours covered special déchetterie charges. I believe the chipped fronds had to be taken to one, and the trunk to another. Our local tip doesn't accept any tree trunks or roots now. No surprise, therefore, that this is happening more and more:
I tend to think the fate of the palm is sealed. We lost ours last spring (amazing how quickly it deteriorated), and another seven or eight have been felled nearby in the last six months. Others were left, sick and dying, throughout the summer. And you can understand why. The cost of hiring an accredited gardener is off-putting if not unaffordable for some people. A large proportion of the cost for ours covered special déchetterie charges. I believe the chipped fronds had to be taken to one, and the trunk to another. Our local tip doesn't accept any tree trunks or roots now. No surprise, therefore, that this is happening more and more:
It's disappointing to see fly tipping, nevertheless. As well as being unsightly, the scattering of felled palms around the countryside from spring to autumn will help spread the insects.
I fear that our towns, villages and coastal resorts will be palm free very soon, and I only hope that when these exotic moths and weevils run out of that food source, they don't turn to native plants.
I fear that our towns, villages and coastal resorts will be palm free very soon, and I only hope that when these exotic moths and weevils run out of that food source, they don't turn to native plants.
