These villages in the Bajo/Baix Cinca region are among the 56 municipalities that are fighting the processionary caterpillar thanks to the Provincial Council of Huesca.
With the arrival of September, the Huesca Provincial Council has launched its annual campaign to combat pine and cedar processionary caterpillars throughout the province. The goal is to minimize the problem of these caterpillar infestations in green spaces, parks, and gardens in urban and peri-urban areas of the various municipalities. This year, more town councils have joined the initiative and requested the collaboration and advice of the technicians at the Provincial Nursery. Between September 2nd and 10th, they will visit 56 municipalities and treat 1.314 different trees.
Provincial deputy Sergio Serra visited the initial work underway in a park area of Barbastro, near two nearby schools. He was able to observe firsthand the control technique used by the DPH (Provincial Council of Huesca) technicians, which minimizes the impact on the ecological balance. He noted that "endotherapy is very environmentally friendly because it injects a specific biocide at the base of the tree trunk, reaching the leaves, which are the caterpillars' food source . "
He also pointed out that “we are very pleased with the response from the municipalities to this free service offered by the Huesca Provincial Council, as there are more of them than last year, and this is because the treatments are effective .” It should be noted that this campaign complements other integrated pest management measures against this pest, including the placement of bat boxes and collar traps to prevent the caterpillars from reaching the ground and completing their life cycle.
The premise for the municipalities of the province of Huesca is that the treatment should be carried out in green areas frequented by the population and when the plague poses a risk, establishing a maximum of twenty-five trees per municipality.
In addition to Barbastro , preventative treatment was carried out yesterday, Monday, in Castejón del Puente, El Grado, Abiego, Alerre, Villanúa, Jaca, and Hoz de Jaca . This Tuesday, the schedule continues through Boltaña, Aínsa, Almudévar, Tardienta, Torralba de Aragón, Robres, and Alcubierre . This Wednesday, the 3rd, it will be the turn of Albero Bajo, Sangarrén, Torres de Barbués, Almuniente, Grañén, Argavieso, Sesa, Alberuela de Tubo, Capdesaso, and Lalueza . Then, on Thursday, it begins in Lanaja, Sena, Villanueva de Sijena, Castelflorite, Laluenga, Berbegal, Peralta de Alcofea, and Monflorite . On Friday, the campaign will visit San Miguel de Cinca, Alcolea de Cinca, Ontiñena, Chalamera, Ballobar, Pueyo de Santa Cruz, Alfántega, Albalate de Cinca, Osso de Cinca, and Binaced . Next Monday, the 9th, the campaign will visit Almunia de San Juan, San Esteban de Litera, Tamarite de Litera, Alcampell, Peñalba, Vencillón, Binéfar, and Siétamo . Finally, on Tuesday, it will visit Igriés-Yéqueda, Banastás, Bolea, Quicena, and Tierz.
