The vermillion moth once invaded many districts in the New Territories last year. This year, the banyan trees in Tai Po district were also infested with moths.
Some district board members found moth tracks in Tai Po city centre and Shuen Wan, affecting the trees and people's lives in the district.
Today (14th) the Tai Po District Council’s Environmental Protection, Agriculture, Fisheries, Industry, Commerce, Food and Hygiene Committee discussed the relevant situation. Department representatives said that there are currently 2,500 banyan trees and 23 ancient trees affected in Hong Kong. The rural areas are the hardest hit areas. In Tai Po, there are more than 80 banyan trees eaten by red moths, but they all repair themselves and do not need to be removed. At present, the authorities will give priority to physical and biological control.
Tai Po District Councillor Chen Weijia said that the reproduction of Vermillion Moth is becoming more serious in the district. He hopes that the department can explain the progress and methods of prevention and control so that they can understand the latest situation.
She pointed out that many private places in the district, such as housing estates, also have similar problems, but most managers will use insecticides to eliminate pests at the lowest cost. It is impossible to predict the impact of this on the ecological environment.
She pointed out that at present, the public generally do not know how to deal with pests in appropriate ways, and urged the relevant departments to expedite the education of the public.
Today (14th) the Tai Po District Council's Environmental Protection, Agriculture, Fisheries, Industry, Commerce, Food and Hygiene Committee discussed the situation of Vermillion Moth.
(Screenshot of the live broadcast of the Tai Po and North District Task Forces of the District Political Union)
Yao Junhao asked the department about the impact of the red moth, including the natural enemies of the red moth, whether it can help reduce other pests, and what is the worst impact of the red moth on trees.
Liu Yongwei asked questions about the individual conditions in the district, such as whether systemic insecticides were used, the overall control arrangements of various departments, and if red moths continue to eat trees, will it affect the structure of the trees, etc.
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Development Bureau: The number of vermillion moths is higher than before. No affected trees need to be removed for the time being
The representative of the Development Bureau replied to the inquiry that the hot weather last year resulted in more reproduction of Vermillion Moth than before. However, under observation, it was found that the affected trees were able to repair themselves and return to normal conditions.
The emergence of Vermillion Moth this year was earlier than last year. At the beginning of June, there were 2,500 banyan trees and 23 trees in the Register of Ancient and Valuable Trees affected in Hong Kong. Among them, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and the rural areas of North District were affected. The area is the hardest hit area, but in Tai Po, more than 80 banyan trees were eaten by red moths.
At present, the most serious case is that half of the tree has been eaten. However, the trees have not been affected and need to be removed. They can slowly repair themselves.
The authorities said they would prioritize the use of physical and biological control treatments
There are currently four methods for prevention and control, including wrapping tree trunks with bamboo, straw mats or linen bags, catching larvae moving on the trunk, regularly removing pupae hidden in the bark or root cracks, shallow soil and fallen leaves, and using pepper water Spray the larvae and use the soil injection method/systemic insecticide to allow the insecticide to soak from the roots to the leaves, so that the larvae that eat the leaves will die.
The representative emphasized that physical and biological control will be given priority for treatment, and the use of insecticides is the last resort, and will try to avoid affecting the ecology.
At present, the bureau has worked with nine departments to strengthen patrols in various districts and carry out corresponding prevention and control work. It has also shared experience with experts from different places to formulate follow-up guidelines.
The 23 old and valuable trees mentioned above will be inspected once a week to closely monitor their conditions, while the other 260 unaffected old trees (banyans) will continue to pay attention if they are found If there are larvae, we will control them as soon as possible, and we will also try to use new technologies (soil injection/systemic insecticides) on some trees with more serious spread.
The representative mentioned that the insecticide of the new technology will decompose within 2 to 3 months and will not remain in the trees.
The natural enemy is the parasitic wasp and the reproduction speed is not enough to check
The representative continued that the natural enemy of the vermillion moth is a parasitic wasp, but the reproduction of the parasitic wasp is not as large as that of the red moth, and they cannot be properly controlled. The use of insecticides will also remove the parasitic wasps, so the relevant departments will monthly Pay attention to the reproduction of red moths and set up a constant mechanism to follow up.
At present, the Architectural Services Department is responsible for the trees in residential buildings and slopes, while the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is responsible for the 2,200 affected trees. It will monitor the situation in a timely manner and deal with it accordingly.
Regarding public education, the representative said that a series of education work has been arranged. For example, there will be an online public lecture at the end of July, and the corresponding knowledge will be transmitted through newspapers and the media.
As for some district councillors who are worried about the use of pesticides in housing estates that will affect the environment, the representative pointed out that the management company personnel have corresponding training, but the types of pesticides are so large that it is difficult for the public to distinguish clearly. Therefore, the general direction of the bureau is to appeal to the public. Reduce the overall use of pesticides.
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