Day: October 2, 2023

Pistachio psylla: A threatening pest in crops in Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura

In some areas of Spain, specifically in fourteen municipalities in Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura, the presence of the pistachio psyllid, a major pest in the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean, has been confirmed. These insects, belonging to the psyllid family, cause damage to pistachio crops, such as leaf yellowing, leaf curling and premature defoliation. Control of this pest presents difficulties due to its location on the underside of the leaves. There are prevention and control measures to confront this situation, such as the use of physical and chemical treatments, conservation of natural enemies and ecological treatments. In addition, constant monitoring and correct identification of the pest is recommended.