The initial results of the initiative launched in recent months with the assistance of Israeli scientists to save the fig tree from the threat of Pseudococcus are positive.

The solution to this pest—which has destroyed up to 30% of the plant’s commercial crops over the past ten years—appears to be a small predatory insect resembling the common ladybug.

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Professor Tsvika Mendel, an emeritus researcher at Israel’s Volcani Institute, Professor Tsvika Mendel, a senior researcher at Israel’s Volcani Institute, who released them in two separate phases at selected locations on the island, following a request submitted by the relevant ministry.

“In May, he had brought 100 of these predatory insects with him. Professor Mendel returned in early July. Additional releases were carried out at the same locations as the previous release, and it appears—based on initial indications—that the insect has established itself and begun to thrive. “We believe it would be possible for Dr. Mendel to visit again in September.”
_{^{Marios Georgiadis – Agricultural Officer}}

The biological control agent selected feeds almost exclusively on the mealybug, which inspires optimism for a permanent reduction in its population.

“Over the course of its life, it can consume 5,000 insects, so we’re talking about a very significant predator, which is already adapted— and it’s worth noting that it’s already adapted to the climatic conditions of the Mediterranean basin, as it has already been tested in Israel. So we, too, are waiting for the insect to take effect in Cyprus, to adapt to Cyprus’s climatic conditions, and we are gradually seeing that it is establishing itself, multiplying, and spreading to other areas beyond those where we released it.”
_{^{Marios Georgiadis – Agricultural Officer}}

For the time being, there are no plans to rear this particular insect in Cyprus.

The fig psyllid was first detected in the Famagusta District in 2016 and has since spread rapidly to other areas.

See photos and videos HERE.

Of the approximately 1,500 decares of commercial crops, it is estimated that 300 to 450 decares have already been destroyed, while the damage to individual open-field crops is also extensive.

See the report by Rafaella Stavrinou:

*Photo source: Biodiversity of Cyprus by George Konstantinou.