Entomophaga maimaiga – New entomopathogenic fungus in the Republic of Serbia

Abstract

The higher mortality rate of the older gypsy moth larval instars was reported in the forest complexes of Belgrade and Valjevo region, in the culmination phase of the new outbreak of the gypsy moth in Serbia. By field and laboratory studies of the causes of their death, the presence of conidia and resting spores of the entomopathogenic fungus Entomophaga maimaiga was reported in the dead caterpillars. This has been the first report of occurrence of this species in Serbia, that is, Serbia is the third European country in which this fungus has been reported. It showed to be a powerful reducer of the population size of the gypsy moth, and in both regions it caused the collapse of the outbreak in 2011.

First record ofEntomophaga maimaiga(Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) in Slovakia

“…Surveys conducted in the subsequent years confirmed that the fungus was successfully established (Pilarska et al, 2006. Since 2011, the fungus has been recovered in several other European countries Tabaković-Tošić, Georgiev, Mirchev, Tošić, & Golubović-Ćurguz, 2012). This paper *Corresponding author.…”

“…In 2011, E. maimaiga was reported from the European region of Turkey and also from Serbia (Tabaković-Tošić, Georgiev, Mirchev, Tošić, & Golubović-Ćurguz, 2012). In 2012, the fungus was found in Greece and Macedonia, locations that are 130-170 km from the nearest known E. maimaiga occurrence in Southwestern Bulgaria .…”

“…In 2012, the fungus was found in Greece and Macedonia, locations that are 130-170 km from the nearest known E. maimaiga occurrence in Southwestern Bulgaria . Both Slovak sites where E. maimaiga was found in 2013 are about 450 km northwest of Boracki Gaj, Serbia, the northernmost distribution of the fungus in Europe (Tabaković-Tošić et al, 2012).…”

The potential forEntomophaga maimaigato regulate gypsy mothLymantria dispar(L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in Europe

“…) and Serbia (Tabaković‐Tošić et al. ). In 2012, the fungus was also found in Greece and Macedonia (Georgieva et al.…”

“…Grey dot with a black circle inside represents the place of the first introduction (Tabaković‐Tošić et al. ; Georgieva et al. ; Georgiev et al.…”