A training workshop will address, with a practical focus and technical rigor, the control of the Diocalandra frumenti pest in palm trees in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, as well as other common palm pests and diseases . Organized by the LIFE Phoenix project in conjunction with ICIA, GMR Canarias, Gesplan, and the City Council's Parks and Gardens Department, the event will bring together professionals to share best practices and on-the-ground management strategies.
The proposal is primarily aimed at pruners and personnel in the forestry, nursery, and gardening sectors , although it will be useful to anyone involved in palm grove management. The goal is to review essential information about this pest, adapt measures to the insect's life cycle, and foster a space for direct, peer-to-peer technical exchange.
Date, time and place of the event
The session will be held on Thursday, October 30, at 11:00 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Maspalomas Cultural Center (Avenida de Tejeda s/n, San Fernando). The event will take place in an accessible and well-connected location to facilitate professional attendance.
Program: Theory and practice on integrated control
The program will combine a theoretical presentation with a field demonstration to reinforce the concepts. Techniques for pruning , trapping, and endotherapy will be covered, focusing on their correct application to affected palm trees and on the safety of operators and the trees themselves.
Who provides the training
The training will be conducted by specialists from the ICIA: Estrella Hernández Suárez and Carina Ramos Cordero , along with Luis Barroso Pérez and field technicians from GMR Canarias. Drawing on their experience, they will address real-world case studies and answer frequently asked questions about the management of different palm species.
Key Contents: Recognition and Damages
The workshop will delve into the visual identification of the insect and its signs on the plant (galleries, perforations, or bud weakening), the most common damage it causes, and best management practices to reduce its impact. Furthermore, it will detail measures tailored to the biology of Diocalandra frumenti , prioritizing effective and well-timed interventions.
LIFE Phoenix project framework
This activity is part of LIFE Phoenix , led by the Gran Canaria Island Council and co-financed by the European Commission's LIFE program. The consortium brings together nine entities from the Canary Islands and Greece to improve the conservation of endemic European palm groves , such as the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) and the Cretan palm (Phoenix theophrasti), considered priority habitats by the European Union.
Who is it addressed to and contact
The course is primarily aimed at tree pruners and those working in nurseries, gardening, and forestry, but is also open to other professionals involved in urban and rural tree management. For further information, please contact the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Town Hall Press Office at 928 723 400 (Ext. 1535).
With a combination of theory and practice, the day seeks to strengthen the professional management of this pest in palm groves and align criteria between public and private teams, incorporating proven tools such as endotherapy, trapping and well-planned pruning to protect these unique ecosystems.
