The Plant Health Directorate’s annual warning to ensure that palm fronds used for lampuki fishing are free from the red palm weevil is back.

With the lampuki season just weeks away, the directorate reminded fishermen of the importance of containing the spread of the pest as much as possible.

The palm weevil bores through the crown killing it in a short time, and can even fly long distances.

Palm fronds must be cut as short as possible to decrease the infestation source normally found in their lower part. The point from which the frond is cut should be sealed by using a mixture of insecticides or sealant, since the weevil is attracted to fresh lesions in the palm tree.

The palms from which fronds are taken must also be treated with appropriate insecticides, the directorate said. This treatment should be repeated three consecutive times to ensure the tree is protected in the best possible way.

Special care must be taken when using canary palms, as this species is especially susceptible to the disease. The canary palm is the biggest among local palm species and has dark green fronds with sharp edges. However, all palm tree species must be given the same treatment when leaves are cut.

The Plant Health Directorate said it was soliciting the cooperation of all the public involved in such activities. Such an infestation, it said, could only be controlled if all persons involved cooperated.

The pruning of palm tree fronds, it said, always had to be carried out according to local regulations and under the supervision of the directorate.

The directorate can be contacted on 2292 6535, freephone 8007 2310 or by e-mail at plantquarantine@gov.mt. For more information, visit the directorate's website.