(En Català: )

Two small beetles, Phloeotribus scarabeoides and Hylesinus oleiperda (Olive Bark Beetles) are an olive tree plague that proliferate if the trees are pruned and the remains are left on the ground in spring. 

In spring the adults bore out characteristic galleries underneath the bark of the cut branches and lay their eggs.  They produce a typical sawdust that indicates their presence.

By early summer, the next generation is ready after the metamorphosis and they can potentially attack the productive trees.

When the logs are dry, the bark falls and one can see the galleries created by the females when laying the eggs and also the galleries made by the larvae, competing for food in beautiful paths.

As preventive measures one can:

• take the fresh cut wood away from the olive grove.
• cover the wood with a canvas, a dark plastic or soil.
• burn the excess wood.
• do early pruning (December-January), cut the wood in small pieces and place in a sunny site. If the wood is dry before the egglaying by the adults, the larvae cannot grow.
  
  Very often, people spray the wood with pesticides or diesel to prevent beetle infestation; this practice is not recommended, because when the wood is finally burnt in the field, home chimneys or barbecues it can have adverse impacts on human health. The effects will not be those of a sudden poisoning, but subtle long term effects such as cancer, allergies or sterility.
  
  The natural patterns in the wood make these logs suitable for special uses in decoration: