Have you noticed lately that the branches of the oak trees are drying out and have small red dots on the buds? Your oak is probably affected by cochineal.

Description of the insect: homoptera.

Affected species: oaks.

Biology: A single generation per year. At the beginning of summer, the females begin to lay eggs (terminal areas of the buds). The eggs are protected by the female's body.

The larvae when they are born will colonize the tender parts (the period can last all summer). From here the female dries up and dies (remaining the trunk of the tree). In the winter the larvae hide and hibernate until the spring they molt and transform into adults.

• We recommend treatment with plant endotherapy.

Make a puncture every 15cm of trunk diameter and put the packets with nutrient and insecticide.

• Recommended products for home use:

- For a 15 L rucksack: mix a 15cc Zenith biological contact insecticide or a 7.5g Mospilan systemic insecticide sachet.

FIGHTING METHODS

- The optimal time to do the insecticide treatments is in the summer.

SYMPTOMS AND DAMAGES

- Drying of the terminal branches of the oaks.

- They feed on the sap of the oaks until they cause general drying.

- Presence of dry balls (female) on the branches of the tree.