Close to a decision to stop the spread of the “Chinese beetle”, an insect that eats mulberry trees in Athenasince the antidote has not been found, its scientists find Athens Agricultural University. Meanwhile, the picture on many central streets and microdistricts of the capital is disappointing, as the number of dead trees is increasing.

In 2019, when the beetle first appeared, Mr. Municipality of Athens cut down 500 mulberry trees, and about 750 more in 2020, following the instructions of agronomists who have suggested the immediate removal of infected trees. However, this tactic did not pay off very well. It is estimated that about 1,500 trees have dried up this year, and 30% of the total 25,000 mulberry trees in the city are already infested.

The municipality of Athens is replacing some of the cut trees with small mulberry trees, as data show that young trees are not easily attacked by insects, but the relevant department of the municipality is seriously considering planting other types of trees. trees to change the ratio of a particular plant in the city’s green mix.

“There is an opinion that mulberry trees that are being removed should be replaced by other trees.” says Christos Thedomas “K”., Deputy Mayor for Climate Change, Municipality of Athens. “Scientists from the Agricultural University, with whom we work, advise replacing some trees with others so that the number of mulberries decreases and there is a greater variety of trees. Thus, they will not be vulnerable to the development and spread of the epidemic,” he explains.

About 1,500 trees have dried up this year, and 30% of the city’s 25,000 mulberry trees are already infested.

It is currently believed that there are about 100,000 trees in Athens, of which 25,000 are mulberry trees. “In other words, it’s 25%, a very large percentage,” explains Mr. Tedomas. The tree-eating insect (Xylotrechus chinensis) was first discovered in Greece in 2017 on mulberry trees in Heraklion, Crete. It is believed to have arrived in Europe and in particular Spain in 2013, but as the name suggests, its home region is China. The insect lays its eggs inside the tree trunk, causing the sap transport pathways inside the tree to “close” and dry out.

For the past two years, the municipality of Athens has been removing dying mulberry trees and then burying them in a landfill to prevent the spread of the insect. “In some cases, when the whole tree hasn’t died, we just cut dry branches,” says Dimitris Kyriakakis, the municipality’s green service manager. However, the tactic did not work out.

Vassilissis Sofias, Kallidromiou, Rizari, the area around the Panathinaikos Stadium, Sepolia and Botanikos are just a few of the many areas in Athens where many mulberry trees have been damaged by holes in their stems caused by insects or have completely withered. The municipality of Athens has been declared on high alert at this time when the insect population is increasing. A meeting has already been held with the heads of the entomology laboratory of the Agrarian University, with whom the municipality cooperates, and another meeting is scheduled by the end of the week.

According to the information, the Agricultural University, in collaboration with the Benaqueio Phytopathological Institute, has a ready-made preparation that can be safely used for insect control and in urban areas. In particular, spraying will not be required, but it is planned to douse tree trunks.

The Agricultural University is expected next week to propose to the municipality the implementation of a comprehensive plan to address this issue, which will likely include replacing diseased trees with other species to limit the “monoculture” of mulberry that has been placed for its rich foliage in many parts of the city.