The crumpled leaves of the apple can be the signal that something tiny, but very aggressive, is attacking the plant. Discovering the responsible insect is essential to save the harvest.
When watching a melo In the spring, it is spontaneous to expect alive leaves, spread to the sun, full of strength. But a slightly more careful glance is enough to realize that something is wrong. Leaves off, with bent edges, small yellowish patches: signs that seem trivial, but that often hide a real threat. It is believed that they are cold strokes or lack of water, instead there is often a microscopic insectdifficult to identify but surprisingly destructive. It is curious how a small detail can upset the health of the entire plant. Sometimes the problem is underestimated, you try to prune, to water more. Yet when the damage is done, the plant no longer blooms as before. A simple look at the leaves can become the most effective action of the season.
First that everything degeneri, it is better to stop for a moment and observe. Maybe today is the right day to take an extra look at your tree.
The manager of the leaves curled in the apple is a very common larval insect
Not everyone knows it by name, but whoever has a orchard fears it. This little intruder is called Limacin of the but e of the Meloor more precisely Caliroa Limacina. It does not stand out easily: the adult is similar to a dark fly, but the real trouble are the larvaethose small viscid shapes reminiscent of yellow-green snails, stuck under the leaves. They have a curious shape: thin body, wider head, and a lucid surface that seems wet. It is precisely this aspect that makes them less vulnerable to predators. But while we ask ourselves what they are, they they eat the leaf fabricleaving only the ribs. A silent and continuous job that brings the leaf to foldto stain, until it falls.
The problem? Everything happens in a few weeks. And the plant, without its leaves, can no longer feed properly. It stops growing, it freezes when it should bloom and bear fruit. In Italy, episodes of this type are more common than you think. Not only in melibut also in Peri, Susini, Albicocchi and even in the raspberries. And precisely because the month of May is the moment when the larvae awaken and begin to devour, it is good to arrive prepared. Better to anticipate than chasing.
Natural remedies against Limacina: better to act immediately
Once you understand who the culprit is, it is useless to waste time. Luckily they exist natural remediesalso approved in organic agriculture, which can reduce the impact of the festival. Indeed, in some cases it is precisely the timeliness that makes the difference between a luxuriant flowering and a compromised harvest.
Some growers advise you Check the leaves every weekespecially on hot days. And among the most common solutions are:
- il natural pyrethroto spray in the evening, when the bees are not around;
- l’azadiractinaderived from Neem, which acts on many species of larvae;
- and even simple mixture of beer and sugarused to attract adults in do-it-yourself traps.
They are effective methods, as long as they are constant and attentive. The weather, for example, can change the times of the festival: abundant rains o sudden heat waves they influence the life cycle of the insect. It is not a predictable mechanism, but with a little observation you can remain a step forward.
A detail not to be forgotten: Limacina does not stop at a single generation. In some years it can reproduce several timesand the damage can also present themselves in the height of summer. Often you notice too late, when the leaves are dry and scattered on the ground. At that point, it is difficult to remedy.
When the Melle leaves crumped, but it is not an insect
However, the cause is not always Limacin. Sometimes the curled leaves They indicate far. It can be, for example, a fungal diseaselike the taphrina Deformans, which is recognized for the appearance of bowl on the surface of the leaves.
Or the culprit are the aphidssmall insects that attach to the sap and cause deformations and general weakness. In both cases, the key is observe closelycalmly, without relying on appearances. A wrong treatment, even if done with the best intentions, can aggravate the situation.
There is also another interesting aspect: some ancient varieties of apple They seem to react better to the attacks, perhaps because more adapted to the environment or not artificially selected. A point to reflect on for those who are thinking of planting new trees.
Ultimately, it takes little to make a difference. Even a simple walk among the trees, a more careful look, can save a whole season.
Il meloif protected in time, will thank with bright leaves and fruits full of flavor.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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