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Written by: Lao Minyi
2021-06-11 21:10
Last update date: 2021-06-11 21:12
The "Vermillion Moth" pest broke out again in the New Territories in May this year. It has traces all over Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai, Kam Tin, Yuen Long, Sheung Shui, etc. Many banyan trees were gnawed to bald, including century-old trees.
The Changchun News Agency has recently discovered that the "moth plague" is raging in the urban area and is suspected of being lost. More than a dozen larvae of vermillion moth larvae were found in Hung Hom. More than 20 Ficus benjamina were bitten by 5-10% of their leaves. No adults or worms have been found yet. Live larvae.
Although the pest did not reach the "disaster level", the Changchun Society was worried that adults would fly to the nearby Tsim Sha Tsui area, which is lined with ancient trees. During a new round of outbreaks next month, the affected area will further expand.
The Changchun Society found more than 20 Ficus benjamina on Hongluan Road yesterday (11th). The leaves were gnawed by 5 to 10%, and more than 10 larvae of Vermillion Moth corpses were found under the tree. This is the first time that vermillion hairs have been found in an urban area by a group. There were no traces of spotted moths, but no adults (ie moths) or live moth larvae were seen, and a large amount of dung was not seen underground.
In October last year and May this year, there were outbreaks of Vermillion Moth in Hong Kong. The evergreen banyan trees had a large number of leaves that were eaten by moths, leaving only scattered green leaves. The hardest hit areas were concentrated in the New Territories.
A new round of outbreaks next month threatens 100-year-old trees in Tsim Sha Tsui
Xu Shujun, the conservation manager of Changchun Society, said that the latest moth traces were found in Hung Hom. It is unknown whether it has always existed or migrated from the New Territories. The encroachment situation is not as serious as that of the New Territories. However, we are concerned about whether the percentage of leaves will be further reduced when a new round of outbreak occurs next month, and whether the adults will fly to the nearby Tsim Sha Tsui area where the banyan trees are standing and endanger the century-old trees in the area.
▼The vermilion moth broke out again in the New Territories.
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Xu Shujun said that the alarm of the vermillion moth has always existed, especially since its outbreak in the New Territories last year. It is more worthy of the government and the public’s attention. He believes that the time should be taken at this stage to drop medicine on the banyan tree. When a new batch of larvae start to eat leaves, they are poisoned. Die, once the adult is found, catch it, reducing the number of reproduction of the next generation.
▼The growth cycle of Vermillion Moth ▼
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Banyan moth plagues | Vermillion moths broke out again in the New Territories banyan trees were attacked and bald, affecting 23 ancient trees
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