Caterpillars
During the autumn and winter, the insect larvae are a factor in the defoliation of pine trees and cause various allergies, such as itching, rashes, respiratory problems, etc. in humans & animals.
Biological cycle
Adult emergence: Adults emerge in August, with males emerging earlier and able to fly up to 2 kilometers, while females fly little or not at all. The exact onset depends on altitude and temperature.
Egg-laying: Females begin egg-laying immediately after mating, depositing eggs in a spiral around the needles and covering them with scales. Hatching occurs in 30-45 days.
Developmental stages: The insect goes through five larval stages until pupation. The larvae are social and build protective nests.
Allergic reactions: Mainly in the last larval stages, the larvae shed hairs with allergenic proteins, causing allergic reactions in humans and animals from March to June.
Litany: After larval development is complete and the soil temperature is above 10 °C, the mature larvae of a tree gather at a point on the trunk, remaining in contact with each other. Then, a female larva takes the lead and begins a form of "litany", where each larva follows the other, maintaining contact with each other with the help of the hairs on their heads and the last abdominal segment.
Pupation: The mature larvae gather and enter the soil where pupation takes place. The adults will emerge from the cocoon the following August.
Treatment
Mechanical control:
Cutting and destroying cocoons, mainly during the larval stages from autumn to spring. However, there is a risk of allergic reactions for personnel. It is not feasible in large areas of tall trees.
Biological control:
Use of preparations based on the bacillus Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki.
It can be sprayed during a specific period and is active for a few days. Spraying insecticides during the "litany" is not effective.
Pine T Pro Ball
Mating Prevention Method (through sexual confusion) for the control of Pythiocampsis. Conjugation inhibition aims to interrupt chemical communication between insects and the cessation of mating.
The diffusion of synthetic sex pheromone results in male adults being unable to locate females, thus preventing them from mating. Consequently, the chances of reproduction and therefore the multiplication of the insect are limited. Conjugation inhibition is a method based on the restoration of natural balance of the crop. The aim is to limit the pest without making it disappear and without disturbing local biodiversity.
Scope: Outdoor Areas. Applicable to all types of pine.
(maritime pine, Austrian black pine, Aleppo pine, Scots pine,
Laricio pine, cedar, Douglas fir or Lambert cypress, etc.) that
are attacked by the pine caterpillar, in forests and urban areas.
Application method: The product is in pellet form and is applied with
air gun like the gun used in paintball.
Frequency of application: Once per year. The product is dispersed
effective throughout the flight period. Must be applied before
from the appearance of the blooms (i.e. before the start of the flight).
