Riviera palms fall to Argentine invader
The emblematic ornamental palm trees that line the Côte d'Azur are under attack by an 8cm-long Argentinian caterpillar slowly eating them from within.
Paysandisia archon, believed to have landed in 1997 on a South American container ship, has colonised four areas of the Riviera and is munching its way through thousands of trees, a local environmental official, Celine Vidal, said.
"In parts of Spain, particularly around Barcelona where it is now well established, 40% of palms are affected. The caterpillar buries itself so deeply in the trunk that it's very difficult to fight."
Once fully grown, the larvae turn into big butterflies which can fly long distances, and multiply rapidly, she said, adding that the only way to fight it is to burn infested palms in special incinerators at a cost of £650 a tree.
The only early sign of infestation was small piles of sawdust around the trunk, but many palms were in private gardens, and "we cannot check them all".
All hope is not lost. Jean-Claude Malausa of the National Institute for Agronomic Research says a hard French winter may kill off the invader.
Paysandisia archon, believed to have landed in 1997 on a South American container ship, has colonised four areas of the Riviera and is munching its way through thousands of trees, a local environmental official, Celine Vidal, said.
"In parts of Spain, particularly around Barcelona where it is now well established, 40% of palms are affected. The caterpillar buries itself so deeply in the trunk that it's very difficult to fight."
Once fully grown, the larvae turn into big butterflies which can fly long distances, and multiply rapidly, she said, adding that the only way to fight it is to burn infested palms in special incinerators at a cost of £650 a tree.
The only early sign of infestation was small piles of sawdust around the trunk, but many palms were in private gardens, and "we cannot check them all".
All hope is not lost. Jean-Claude Malausa of the National Institute for Agronomic Research says a hard French winter may kill off the invader.

Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.

Use the form below to email this article to your friends.

- Canary Island Date Palm
- Sago Palm
- Artificial Palm Tree and Lighted Palm Tree Decor
- Palm (Palmetto) Tree: Types and Care
- Palm Trees for Sale
- Umbrella Tree - The Umbrella Plant Facts
- Tree Identification: Guide to Identifying Trees
- Facts About Diatomaceous Earth
- Different Kinds of Leaves
- Fast Growing Trees
- Windmill Palm Tree Care
- Palm Trees - Types of Palm Trees
- Palm Tree Care
- Queen Palm Tree Care
- Palm Tree Types
- Palm Plant Care
- Outdoor Artificial Palm Trees
- Palm Tree Trimming
- Palm Tree Species
- Homemade Palm Tree Fertilizer
- Caring for Palm Trees
- History Of The Coconut Tree



