How Greece fended off a looming beetle invasion
14 January 2025
The largest palm tree forest in Greece, found on the island of Crete, is no longer threatened by the red palm beetle. Originating from Central Asia, this invasive insect endangered the unique ecosystem of Vai, home of the rare Cretan date palm. The forestry directorate and the University of Crete made enormous efforts, including controlling the burning of some plants, to manage the infestation. Also every week, a crew of forest rangers makes inspections and intervenes at regular intervals. Where they detect new infestations they attempt chemical control.
The red palm beetle seems to have first appeared in Greece in 2005 through palms imported in 2004 for the Athens Olympics, spreading rapidly and endangering palm trees across the country Its spread in Vai, a Natura 2000-designated protected area, was particularly concerning due to the forest's ecological importance, as it's not only the biggest palm forest in Greece but the only one that has this type of palm tree in Greece.
 | Maro Samara Similar invasive threats are the Asian hornet or Vespa Velutina Nigrithorax, which impacts pollination in Europe, and the Downy Mildew or Peronospora, which once ravaged Southern Europe. Greece's "win" against the red palm beetle could inform strategies to combat other invasive species endangering ecosystems, with consistency being key in the battle against similar species. |
Welcome to The European Correspondent
Europe lacks true European media: in Germany alone, there are more media devoted exclusively to football than news outlets specialising on Europe. The established players mainly focus on Brussels and European institutions. The European Correspondent aims to change that. We cover the whole of Europe and write for a community of citizens who want to look beyond their own national borders. Without European journalism, there is no European civil society.
〉Read our manifesto
〉The stories we would like to write for you
Become a donor!
The European Correspondent is fully funded by its readers. We can only produce the newsletter with your support - and work towards the bigger project: building true European media. Donate now!
With your help, we can create true European journalism. Thank you!
We are non-profit. Every donated € goes directly into The European Correspondent.