Out with Papa-figos

Clive Viney - co-author of Algarve Wildlife - the natural year

Papa-figos (which literally translates as fig eater) is the Portuguese name for the Golden Oriole, one of the iconic visiting birds of the Algarve. Clive Viney is the co-author of Algarve Wildlife - the natural year, and now, under the guise of Papa-Figos, chronicles his finds, thoughts and feelings while walking in the Algarve countryside throughout the natural year. Look out for his regular updates, illustrated by his fellow co-author and photographer, Ray Tipper, who has kindly provided some of the photographs that illustrate these articles by clicking through from the links below.

Deceptively Attractive

Paysandisa archon - Palm Moth. Picture: Kevin Rush

Kevin Rush reported that he had photographed two impressively large day-flying moths on a cliff-top at Burgau, just outside Luz, and needed help with the identification. Neither my extensive library nor the Internet could provide an answer. Accordingly, I asked two friends who are keen lepidopterists for help. Richard Stott quickly came back with the answer that they were Palm Moths Paysandisa archon and that there were one or two recent records from the UK. Peter Garland added that the moth is also known as the Surreptitious and said that it was a South American species.

The Palm Moths were found just outside Luz. Picture Kevin Rush

Further research was now easy. British Moths 2nd edition (2015) by Chris Manley reports that the species was accidentally imported to Europe in ornamental palms. Although superficially resembling a hawkmoth it is unrelated. It has an impressive wingspan of 90-110mm and unusually for a moth has butterfly-like clubbed antennae. The white maggot-like larva bore large holes in the trunks and stems of palms.

According to the comprehensive CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience) 2017 website www.cabi.org/isc, which uses the common name South American Palm Borer, this species is now resident in France and spreading rapidly into Italy and Spain where the larvae are doing great damage to palm trees, even killing them. According to that website this is the first record for Portugal. As such it should be reported to CABI.

Paysandisa archon at home on an Algarve palm tree. Picture Kevin Rush

Algarve’s ancient palms, which are such a familiar feature of our townscapes have already suffered terribly from an infestation of the Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. Now the Algarve will have to brace itself for another invader, the deceptively attractive South American Palm Borer.

 

Clive Viney
Tavira
15th August 2017