The potential for Entomophaga maimaiga to regulate gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in Europe |
| |
| Authors: | M Zúbrik A Hajek D Pilarska I ?pilda G Georgiev B Hra?ovec A Hirka D Goertz G Hoch M Barta M Saniga A Kunca C Nikolov J Vakula J Galko P Pilarski G Csóka |
| |
| Institution: | 1. National Forest Centre – Forest Research Institute, Forest Protection and Game Management, Banská ?tiavnica, Slovakia;2. Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA;3. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Sofia, Bulgaria;4. Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic;5. Department of Forest Protection, LESY SR, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia;6. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Forest Research Institute, Sofia, Bulgaria;7. Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia;8. Department of Forest Protection, NARIC Forest Research Institute, Mátrafüred, Hungary;9. SCC GmbH, Weinsheim, Germany;10. Department of Forest Protection, Austrian Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape, Vienna, Austria;11. Mlyňany Arboretum, Institute of Forest Ecology SAS, Vieska nad ?itavou, Slovakia;12. Faculty of Forestry, Technical University Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia;13. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Sofia, Bulgaria |
| |
| Abstract: | Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L., is one of the most important pests of deciduous trees in Europe. In regular cycles, it causes large‐scale defoliation mostly of oak, Quercus spp., forests. Government authorities in the most infested countries in Europe conduct large‐scale applications of pesticides against gypsy moth. In 1999, a new natural enemy, the entomopathogenic fungus Entomophaga maimaiga, was successfully introduced into a gypsy moth population in Bulgaria. Recent investigations suggest that now E. maimaiga is quickly spreading in Europe. Herein, past studies are reviewed regarding this fungus with special emphasis on its potential for becoming an important factor regulating gypsy moth populations in Europe, focusing on the host's population dynamics in relation to the fungus, the influence of environmental conditions on fungal activity, the influence of E. maimaiga on the native entomofauna, including other gypsy moth natural enemies, and spread of the fungus. Based on this analysis, the potential of E. maimaiga for providing control in European gypsy moth populations is estimated. |
| |
| Keywords: |
Entomophaga maimaiga
Europe gypsy moth outbreak spread |
|
|
