Forest Pest Control to Protect Balearic Woodland

Forestry action on the Balearic Islands against the great capricorn beetle and other pests to protect holly oak and pine forests

What does it consist of?

Holly oak trees in the Tramuntana mountains and pine forests across the Balearic Islands are under increasing pressure from pests such as the great capricorn beetle and scoliid wasps. The project proposes urgent measures to protect the health of more than 600 hectares of forest, which is key to ecological balance across the archipelago.

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Data

PROJECT TITLE IN THE CALL
Phytosanitary improvements to the forests on the Balearic Islands: healthier forests
LOCATION
Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza, Formentera
Entity submitting the PROJECT
Conselleria d'Agricultura, Pesca I Medi Natural
Entity that executes the project
Direcció General Medi Natural i Gestió Forestal
Project code
ITS2425-134
Total project amount
4.800.000 €
ITS granted amount
4.800.000 €
Executed amount
81.201 €
Call year
2024-2025
Execution status
In execution
Purpose
Environment
Budget execution
Executed: 1.69%
Last data request
27.02.2026

The project

44% of the surface area on the Balearic Islands is covered by forests. These ecosystems perform vital functions: they fix carbon, regulate the water cycle, prevent erosion and support a rich biodiversity. But their health is at risk. Among the most serious threats are pests such as the Cerambyx cerdo, commonly known as the great capricorn beetle, which especially affects holly oak forests across Mallorca.

The project focuses on two key species on the archipelago: the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), covering the majority of the surface area, and the holly oak (Quercus ilex), of great ecological value. In both cases, the planned works include selective sanitation felling, monitoring of outbreaks and the application of integrated control methods. In the holly oak forests, traps will also be deployed to capture adult great capricorn beetles in their reproduction phase.

The work will be carried out on public estates of high environmental value such as Son Moragues, Cúber, Binifaldó and Menut. In total, work will be carried out on some 611 hectares of affected woodland, especially in the Tramuntana mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Actions also include awareness-raising, research and technical follow-up.

Beyond curbing damage to forests, the aim is to strengthen the capacity of forests to adapt to climate change. Maintaining them in good health is crucial not only for biodiversity conservation, but also to ensure the survival of nature’s services that are fundamental for life across the archipelago.