Last night, March 16, Pass word delivered the largest jackpot in its history. The lucky one was Rafa Castaño, who took a whopping 2,272,000 euros. And he did it with in a single turn, with which the word of victory was the one that began with z: zabro.
The definition of presenter, a shortened version of which can be read in the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), was this: “Beetle that attacks the wheat fields, especially when the grains are tender.” But what else do we know about this 2 million euro beetle?
The truth is that it not only attacks wheat fields, as the definition states. In general, the zabro is considered a pest of any cereal, less than oats. Yes, it is true that it preferentially affects the most tender grains and at certain times of the year, under specific characteristics. Logically, all this could not be said in the definition of Pass word. But that’s why we’re here, to talk about science. Also, we love beetles.
Zabro the beetle Pass word
The full definition of the RAE also includes that it is from the Carabid family. And so it is. Also, its scientific name is Zabrus tenebrioidesalthough it is much better known as zabro.
The greatest crop losses they are produced by the zabro in the larval stage, between the months of September and October. In this phase, they measure about 3 centimeters long and they have strong jawswhich eat almost any cereal, although their favorites are wheat and barley.
The years with mild and humid autumns are the ones that favor the appearance of the beetle of the 2 million euros of Pass word. However, it is at the end of spring and beginning of summer when the adults, smaller in size than the larvae, can be seen roaming the crops.
Its appearance can be prevented
He zabro has brought great joy to Rafael Castaño in Pass word. However, for cereal farmers it can be a serious headache, as it is capable of causing large crop losses. That’s why, certain preventive measures must be taken.
The first is rotate crops. That is, not sow cereal where there would already be cereal before. It is also important delay planting as much as possible, so that the period in which the larvae proliferate does not coincide with the moment in which the grains are tender and perfect for being destroyed. In addition, it must be avoided that they accumulate stubbleas this also favors the appearance of zabro pests.
If even so it is not possible to avoid its appearance, it would be necessary to resort to authorized phytosanitary products. But, as with everything in life, prevention is always better than cure. The zabro, as well as other crop pests, is no exception to this typical saying.
