ChiFRA

Many people take financial advice to protect their assets from tax and inflation and to provide financial security for a long and comfortable retirement.  What many do not realise, however, is that their choice of adviser is probably the most important financial decision they need to make.

One of the key questions for British expatriates is whether to use their existing UK adviser, or a new adviser based here in Andalucía.  However, before you start discussing your financial affairs with anyone, you need to establish if they are regulated to provide advice to residents of Spain, and that they are competent.

Do not presume that because the adviser is British and has worked in the UK, that he must be reliable and regulated – unfortunately this is not always the case.

The red weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier) is an insect of the Coleoptera order that causes major damage to palm trees.

This coleopteron originally came from the tropical regions of South East Asia and Polynesia, later extending to a large number of other subtropical zones. Of all the countries where they are found, special attention must be given to Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Iran, as they are our most regular suppliers. It was detected in Europe, in 1995, in Almunecar, (Granada) Andalusia, Spain. The next year it was found in the province of Malaga, in the adjoining town of Nerja.

Progressively it has increased the affected area to include the costal zone between the two municipalities of Motril and Velez-Malaga; although these are the two areas in the extremities with the least frequency of incidences. The municipalities that are affected are Motril, Salobrena, Molvizar and Almunecar, in the province of Granada, and Nerja, Frigilliana, Torrox, and Velez-Malaga in Malaga.

Many types of palm species have been recorded as hosts. However in our zone the species of choice (by a significant difference) is the “Palmera Canaria” (Phoenix Canarensis) and in second place is the “Date Palm” (Phoenix Dacylifera). Occasionally it is found in the “Phoenix Robellini” Palm.

If you suspect that your Palms are affected then it is very important that you erradicate the beetle, you may need to remove the tree completely. You can take a sample to the Chiclana Natural office for their help in identifying the insect and also for advice on treatment.

There is more information about identification and treatment in this PDF document.  One of the  reccomended treatments is Confidor manufactured by Bayer. 

Thanks to Roger Holmes who  translated the information for ChiFRA on behalf of Chiclana Natural.

The “Barrenillo” (Tomicus Destruens)

You may have noticed a sudden weakening in the appearance of the crown on your pine trees within your property; showing less young growth and the colour of the foliage has changed to a much lighter shade.

It is possible that you will find bits of yellow resin on the trunk, near to small holes. You will also have noticed that in the summer the tips of the needles were dry and fell off on windy days. All these signs indicate that your pine is infested with an insect locally known as "Barrenillo".

If the damage is observed in the twigs, try and locate the source of the plague and if you find it ask the owner to proceed with its elimination.

Please contact the "Delegación municipal de Medio Ambiente", if you have noticed large quantities of resin on the trunk.  They will inspect the tree and determine how to proceed with the extermination and in which season to deal with it.

Remember trees are fundamental to the environment. If you have to fell a pine tree because of a plague, please replace it with another of the same species. That way you will be helping to maintain and renew the forestation mass within Chiclana de la Frontera.

Thaumetopoea Pityocampa

Known commonly as the as the Processionary Pine Caterpillar.

It is a lepidopteron of the Taumetopoeidae family. A defoliating insect found in Spanish pine trees. The most susceptible to attack are the "larico", "silvestre", "carrasco" and "piñonero" varieties.

The most notable defoliations are in winter time.

This plague is considered endemic to Mediterranean pine forests.

Apart from defoliation, the proscessionary caterpillar produces adverse effects in humans including skin irritation (itching) and severe allergic reactions.