Scientists in Northern Ireland are launching a three-year project to protect native ash trees from an invasive pest, the ash sawfly. This insect, which has been present since 2016, can strip trees of their leaves, significantly affecting their growth and health, especially in trees already suffering from ash dieback disease. The project aims to develop environmentally-friendly control methods, including sticky traps designed to capture adult sawflies before they can lay eggs.
The ash sawfly larvae feed on leaves from May to June, and while healthy trees can recover, repeated infestations can lead to long-term damage. The researchers are exploring various traps and methods to disrupt the sawfly’s life cycle, which could help mitigate the impact on ash trees in urban areas like Belfast, where damage has been widespread.
Local residents have reported the sawflies as a nuisance, with many encountering the larvae in their homes. Despite this, experts believe that ash trees possess genetic diversity that may help them adapt to these challenges over time. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to breed resistant varieties of ash trees to combat both the sawfly and ash dieback disease.
As the project unfolds, it highlights the importance of addressing invasive species and their potential long-term effects on native ecosystems. The findings could inform broader strategies for managing similar threats to biodiversity in the UK and beyond.
Source: BBC News
