Nikteola walnut damages walnut orchards in Ukraine: on some trees, the damage reaches 40–50%

In recent decades, new species of insects have been infiltrating Ukraine from the Mediterranean and the Balkan Peninsula, reports Telegraph. Entomologist of the National Nature Park "Tuzlovsky Estuary" Yevgeny Khalaim noted that among the most well-known species is the nut weevil, also known as the walnut boatman. "In the last 5–10 years, a lot of walnut fruits have been worm-eaten, which is associated with the appearance of this insect. The percentage of damaged fruits reaches 40–50% on some trees," said the expert. According to him, pests appear due to a narrow corridor between the Carpathians and the Black Sea, through Bessarabia into the steppe zone. "Another route is from the Middle East, the region of Georgia, Azerbaijan. They can penetrate through the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, via the Crimean Peninsula, and again to our steppe zone. Also, a whole series of species have entered in recent years," emphasized the interviewee. The walnut weevil was previously known in ...