Ibiza and Formentera: planes target pine caterpillars

Ibiza and Formentera’s pine forests face two rounds of aerial treatment across 15,000 hectares starting next week as authorities tackle pine processionary caterpillars. Planes and helicopters will make the flights during October and November, the Balearic regional government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment said on Friday, 23 October.

Why the caterpillars matter

The caterpillars’ irritating hairs can cause allergic reactions and breathing problems, particularly in pets such as dogs, minister Joan Simonet said.

Damage to Ibiza’s pine forests remains relatively low, but caterpillar numbers have risen outside an emerging outbreak area declared in the island’s northeast in 2021. On Formentera, infestation levels have fallen over the past two years.

Where the flights will go

The treatment will cover 12,500 hectares on Ibiza, mainly in the south and northwest, and 2,500 hectares on Formentera. Two passes over those areas will amount to 30,000 hectares of treatment. The exact flight dates depend on the weather.

The aircraft will use a biological treatment containing the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki. It acts on the caterpillars and breaks down quickly on leaves in ultraviolet light. The government says it does not affect bees. Ground treatments will support the flights.

The aerial work is part of a wider campaign. This summer, authorities set 2,760 pheromone traps across the two islands. At their third check in 2026, the traps had caught 29,838 male moths on Ibiza and 3,923 on Formentera. Crews also removed 18,744 caterpillar nests between January and March. All pine processionary control measures planned for 2026 cost €2.76 million.

Topics: Nature & wildlife

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com