🔔 Alert Summary
In the second half of May 2025, the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food, in collaboration with regional Plant Protection Centers, issued a series of technical bulletins highlighting key plant health threats across the country. These alerts target major crops including stone fruits, olives, vines, walnuts, cherries, and citrus, providing critical guidance for growers as pest and disease pressures rise with the advancing season.
Stone Fruits (Peach, Apricot, Nectarine)
Oriental Fruit Moth (Grapholita molesta)
The pest remains a primary concern for peach orchards, with ongoing adult flights detected by pheromone traps. Larvae attack shoots and fruits, causing wilting, internal feeding, and fruit drop.
Regions: Eastern Macedonia & Thrace: Drama, Evros, Xanthi, Rodopi, Serres, Kavala
Recommended Actions for Farmers:
- Conduct repeat insecticide sprays between May 15–19, especially in orchards with a history of infestation.
- Prefer low-toxicity products to protect beneficial insects, which are abundant this time of year.
- Treatments targeting Grapholita molesta also help control the Peach Twig Borer (Anarsia lineatella), which damages young shoots and fruits.
General Advice:
- Always use certified plant protection products and follow label instructions for dosage and safety.
- Consult the Ministry’s online database for approved products per crop and pest.
Cherry trees
European Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis cerasi)
The first adult captures have been recorded in cherry orchards, signaling the start of the risk period for fruit infestation.
Regions: Eastern Macedonia & Thrace: Drama, Evros, Xanthi, Rodopi, Serres, Kavala
Recommended Actions for Farmers:
- Monitor trap catches closely.
- Targeted insecticide sprays should be applied based on trap data, especially in orchards with a history of infestation.
Cherry Leaf Spot (Blumeriella jaapii)
Infections have been observed in Drama prefecture. The fungus causes small purple spots on leaves, leading to yellowing, premature leaf drop, and weakened trees.
Regions: Drama (Eastern Macedonia & Thrace)
Recommended Actions for Farmers:
- Apply preventive fungicides when symptoms appear and repeat as needed, especially after rain.
- Remove and destroy infected leaves to reduce inoculum.
Walnut trees
- Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella)
Trap monitoring is ongoing; treatments should be timed based on pheromone trap catches. - Walnut Blight (Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis) and Walnut Anthracnose (Gnomonia leptostyla)
Both bacterial and fungal diseases threaten nuts and leaves, especially in wet conditions.
Regions: Drama (Eastern Macedonia & Thrace)
Recommended Actions for Farmers:
- Apply recommended bactericides and fungicides at key phenological stages.
- Maintain orchard hygiene and prune to improve air circulation.
Olive trees
Olive Fruit Moth (Prays oleae)
The carpophagous generation has begun laying eggs on young fruits in early regions. Larvae bore into the fruit, causing early fruit drop.
Regions: Crete: Early and coastal areas of Heraklion, Chania, Lasithi, and Eastern Macedonia & Thrace: Kavala, Serres
Recommended Actions for Farmers:
- In coastal and early areas, apply insecticides between May 19–21, focusing on orchards with low to moderate fruit set.
- Combine treatments with those targeting the Olive Seed Weevil (Rhynchites cribripennis), which also causes early fruit drop.
Olive Scale Insects (e.g., Pollinia pollini, Aspidiotus nerii, Parlatoria oleae)
Scale populations are high in neglected or stressed groves, causing branch dieback and reduced yields.
Regions: Crete: Early areas
Recommended Actions for Farmers:
- Improve tree vigor through pruning and nutrition.
- Remove heavily infested branches.
- Apply chemical controls only in cases of severe infestation, using approved products.
Vineyards - Grape vines
European Grapevine Moth (Lobesia botrana)
The second flight has started in the early zones of Heraklion and Lasithi.
Regions: Crete: Early and coastal areas of Heraklion, Lasithi
Recommended Actions for Farmers:
- Begin insecticide applications in early and coastal areas on May 22–23.
- Ensure thorough coverage of grape clusters, preferably at dusk.
Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe necator)
Weather favors disease development across all zones.
Regions: Crete: All vineyard zones (early, mid, late), and Epirus: Ioannina region (Epirus, NW Greece)
Recommended Actions for Farmers:
- Maintain protective fungicide coverage through sensitive stages (flowering, fruit set, berry growth).
- Prefer sulfur dusting during flowering and fruit set, avoiding high temperatures to prevent phytotoxicity.
Downy Mildew (Plasmopara viticola)
While drought has limited spread, risk remains in humid areas (valleys, near rivers).
Regions: Crete: Humid areas (valleys, riversides), and Epirus: Ioannina region
Recommended Actions for Farmers:
- Protect susceptible vineyards during flowering and fruit set, especially if symptoms are present.
- Monitor regularly and treat promptly upon detection.
Leafhoppers (various species)
Populations are rising in some areas.
Regions: Crete: Especially Messara and early areas
Recommended Actions for Farmers:
- Regularly inspect leaves for nymphs.
- Treat if populations exceed threshold levels (50–100 nymphs per 100 leaves).
Note for applications on grape leaves:
Only two biological products are approved for use on grape leaves; all other pesticides are for grapes only. To prevent the residue issue, avoid harvesting fresh leaves from treated vines.
Citrus trees
- Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata)
Early monitoring is advised as the pest can cause significant fruit loss. - Citrus Mealybug (Planococcus citri), Red Scale (Aonidiella aurantii), Black Scale (Parlatoria ziziphi), Purple Scale (Lepidosaphes beckii)
These sap-sucking insects weaken trees and reduce fruit quality. - Citrus Thrips (Thrips spp.) and Aphids (Aphis spp.)
Both can cause fruit scarring and deformities. - Eriophyid Mites
They cause russeting and deformation of young fruits.
Recommended Actions for Farmers:
- Monitor pest populations regularly.
- Apply targeted treatments based on economic thresholds and always use approved products for each pest and crop.
General Recommendations
Always consult the Ministry’s online catalog for approved plant protection products:
Follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles: Use chemical controls only when necessary, rotate active ingredients to prevent resistance, and combine with cultural and biological measures.
Observe all safety and environmental precautions: Read and follow label instructions, avoid spraying during unsuitable weather, and protect pollinators and beneficial insects.
Stay informed: Technical bulletins are available on the Ministry’s website and by email subscription. Local conditions (microclimate, orchard history, crop stage) should always be considered when implementing recommendations.
