Damascus-Sana
The popularly called calculus "black beetle", which was recently observed in areas of Damascus and its countryside, is a beneficial insect that is not harmful to human health, crops, and plants.
This insect usually appears on these days of the year as a result of torrential rains and widening of the vegetation cover. Indeed, its appearance and reproduction preserves the environmental balance according to the Plant Protection Director at the Ministry, the supervisor Fahr, "given its role in eliminating harmful insects in orchards and forests."
The supervisor stated in a statement to the delegate of Sana that "Kalosuma" feed on harmful insects and worms present in the soil and live a very short lifespan between 20 and 25 days, depending on the temperature, pointing out that it is not necessary to control it because it is good for the emergence and reproduction of this type of insect in relation to the environment.
The supervisor explained that "Kalosuma" is a species of leaf beetles, which is an insect with nocturnal activity attracted to the lights, its source is orchards and lands where wild grasses grow extensively and the warmth of the air helped to spread them, indicating at the same time that if they spread widely in residential areas, they will intervene by spraying Pesticides in cooperation with the agricultural directorates.
The insect spread in April of last year in the regions of Damascus and its countryside, in the countryside of Homs and Hama, and in various areas of the desert.
Bushra Barhoum