Stara Zagora expands measures against pine processionary moth

The Municipality of Stara Zagora has begun ground treatments of pine plantations in the ‘Tri Chuchura – Sever’ district and near the Memorial Complex ‘Defenders of Stara Zagora’. The initiative aims to reduce the pine processionary moth population to a sanitary minimum.

This expansion follows previous efforts centered in Mitropolit Metodiy Kusev Park. Over the last three years, the city has conducted three ground treatments and two drone-based applications. Deputy Mayor Radostin Tanev stated that warmer winters have created favorable conditions for the pest's expansion.

To protect biodiversity, officials are using environmentally friendly preparations approved for urban areas by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency. The strategy seeks to balance pest control with the protection of non-target insects and the local ecosystem.