Pest annihilates fig trees across island

Poor harvest as 90% per cent have already been destroyed

The Phryneta leprosa that has decimated black mulberry trees and is now threatening white mulberry species known as ċawsli Photo: David Mifsud

Locally grown figs could soon disappear from the market as thousands of trees have been decimated by a pest within a few years.

John Gauci, president of the Farmers’ Central Cooperative, told Times of Malta that about 90 per cent of fig trees had already been killed.

As a result, this year there was a very small harvest, with prices skyrocketing.

Early green figs (bajtar ta’ San Ġwann), which mature in the second week of June, used to be found in abundance, as much as dry purple figs (farkizzan), a variety that is produced by the same tree at a later stage in August.

“Unfortunately, the authorities seem to have taken this pest lightly, as, unlike the Tuta absoluta that some years ago threatened the tomato industry, figs are not deemed to be as important for the local agricultural sector,” Mr Gauci said.

“In reality, figs are very much in demand and are also quite profitable as they need very little care to grow.”

According to information given in Parliament last week, since July 2012, the Plant Health Directorate received 68 reports of the insect, scientifically known as Hypocrypahlus scabricollis.

Following numerous inspections, the authorities advised affected farmers on how to deal with the bug while issuing 15 enforcement notices to destroy infected trees. An information leaflet was also published.

However, Environment Minister Leo Brincat admitted that information about the pest was limited and that the directorate was in touch with experts to learn how to address the situation better.

Times of Malta spoke to entomologist David Mifsud, a senior lecturer at the Institute of Earth Systems at the University of Malta, who conducted various studies and published papers on the subject.

He said this particular insect was a species of bark beetle that had existed in Malta for 50 years without causing any major damage.

It was associated with ficus trees, very commonly found at the side of arterial roads, and was never a major threat as it only used to attack branches rather than the main trunk.

“However, since 2007, a phenomenon scientifically referred to as a host-plant shift was observed through which the insect migrated to fig trees,” Dr Mifsud said.

“Rather than attacking branches, the insect, measuring only about three millimetres, goes for the layer under the bark of the main stem.

“Small, fine holes known as exit holes on the bark of the main stem should trigger the alarm bells as these are the sign of its larvae carving very fine galleries underneath, hence, their common name bark beetles.”

According to Dr Mifsud, if the damage is discovered in time, disinfecting the affected part with appropriate plant protection products could save the tree.

The best way to tackle it was to educate farmers to be fully aware of such pest, he added. “Due to its small size, this bark beetle goes undetected most of the time and, instead, the culprit is mistakenly thought to be some other insect such as a longhorn beetle.”

Known as Phryneta leprosa, which can grow up to five centimetres in length, the longhorn beetle was responsible for the decimation of black mulberry trees (tut) since its introduction and establishment in 2000.

Malta is a member of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation, which periodically issues notifications on emerging pests, such as the discovery of the red palm weevil in Spain, which eventually spread to other counties including Malta.

“The Phryneta leprosa took everybody by surprise when it was found in Malta and it was immediately evident that it was new to the island,” Dr Mifsud remarked.

Following years of studies, he concluded that this alien species had originated from Cameroon, in central Africa, and had been probably transported to Malta by accident on some logs intended for the timber industry.

“Though it is occasionally found on fig trees, it only nibbles new shoots but does relatively little damage to this tree,” Dr Mifsud said.

But there might be another chapter unfolding in this story.

“Early indications suggest that after decimating the black mulberry, this pest could be setting its sights on a very similar fruit called the white mulberry, which in Maltese is simply known as ċawsli,” the expert warned.