The Kestrel or Soliguer: An unexpected ally in the fight against the red weevil.

It turns out that the Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) consumes a large amount of these insects that so much damage have caused.

This is confirmed by a pending research project of Researchers in the Ecology Department of the Department of Applied Biology of the University Miguel Hernández (UMH) of Elche and students in Environmental Sciences practices of the University in collaboration with the City of Elche.

The Kestrel is a small bird of prey that is found throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Their usual diet consists of small mammals, mainly rodents, small birds, reptiles, large insects, worms and frogs.

The results of the research are especially promising as the Kestrel easily adapts to the urban environment.

The aim of the research project is to use the kestrel as some sort of an indicator for the health of the palm trees and as a possible ally in pest control.

The best way to protect the palm trees against the Red Weevil is the preventive fumigation with Nematodes. A totally harmless alternative nontoxic for humans being or the eco-system.

Those interested in collaborating in the research project can contact the researchers by sending an email to cernicaloselche@gmail.com