The municipal Department of Environment of Javea has detected the first case of Red Palm Weevil in a date palm tree.

Up until now this plague had only been detected on the Canary Island Palm species, which is why the monitoring and inspection work were concentrating on this variety. Now however, this environmental problem has taken a step further by extending to new species. The infected palm is a monumental male tree, with height of 13 meters, and which is located in a ravine in the de la Guardia area, specifically in the Argilaga Street. According to the Department of Environment, it has been treated with mechanical pruning and an insecticide treatment, although the attack is quite grave and there are doubts that it can be saved. 

This case is very important, as it is the first time that a date palm has been affected. Experts from the department believe that the tremendous height of the tree, along with the few canary palm varieties existing in the surrounding area may have encouraged the presence of the palm weevil.  In view of this new situation, the Town Council is requesting owners to monitor their trees closely to check for any symptoms that may indicate plague. There are already hundreds of Canary Palms in the municipality affected by this menace. The Environmental Department is keeping up with its surveillance campaign in coordination with the gardeners of the municipality.