Monaco’s gardening teams have begun their annual campaign to protect the Principality’s pine trees from processionary caterpillars, using an environmentally friendly treatment designed to disrupt the insects’ breeding cycle before populations can grow…
The operation, carried out by the Department of Urban Planning, focused on around 400 pine trees across Monaco, including approximately 100 in the Saint-Martin Gardens. Using paintball-style launchers, gardeners fired more than 4,000 biodegradable pellets into the trees during the early morning operation.
Rather than containing pesticides, the pellets are filled with a water-based gel containing synthetic female pheromones. The treatment creates what specialists describe as “sexual confusion”, preventing male moths from locating females and significantly reducing successful mating. The pheromones remain active for around 120 days and are harmless to people, pets and wildlife.
The programme forms part of a wider annual strategy to control processionary caterpillars. Each spring, pheromone traps are installed to monitor the presence of male moths. If significant activity is detected, the second phase of treatment is launched during the breeding season.
Officials say the approach has already delivered impressive results. Since the programme began, the number of processionary caterpillar nests found across the Principality has fallen by around 70 per cent, helping to protect both Monaco’s pine trees and the public from the insects, whose hairs can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Image: Monaco Info