Native and exotic coniferous species in Europe – possible host plants for the potentially invasive Siberian moth, Dendrolimus sibiricus¹ Tschtv. (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae)

Abstract

The performance of young larvae of the potentially invasive Siberian moth Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschtv. has been studied for the first time on the native and exotic coniferous species which are widely distributed and of considerable commercial value in Europe. Picea, Abies, the introduced Pinus species (five‐needle pine only), and species from the exotic genera Pseudotsuga and Cedrus (all Pinaceae) are found to be suitable hosts for pest development. Two‐needle pines and species from non‐native Tsuga (also Pinaceae) are poor hosts in terms of larval performance though they may support growth of neonates (most sensitive to food quality). Coniferous species from other families: Taxaceae and Cupressaceae are inedible for the pest. The fact that the Siberian moth is able to survive and develop on all the tested genera of Pinaceae and that some of them constitute two thirds of the European forests underline how harmful this defoliator could be in the case of its introduction into European countries.

Colonisation of native and exotic conifers by indigenous bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) in France

“…Similar groupings have also been reported when considering larval performances of Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschtv. on different native and introduced European conifers during quarantine experiments in Belgium (Kirichenko et al, 2008). However, both in our study and in Kirichenko et al (2008), P. strobus was associated with Picea rather than with P. sylvestris.…”

“…on different native and introduced European conifers during quarantine experiments in Belgium (Kirichenko et al, 2008). However, both in our study and in Kirichenko et al (2008), P. strobus was associated with Picea rather than with P. sylvestris. Apart from this exception, our results supported the hypothesis that the presence of closely related (a) Clustering of native and exotic (in bold) conifer tree species on the basis of mean bark thickness similarities.…”

Pest survey card on Dendrolimus sibiricus

“…stinging hairs) on the twigs and branches of the host tree. (Kirichenko et al, 2008a(Kirichenko et al, , 2008b(Kirichenko et al, , 2009(Kirichenko et al, , 2011. After 10-21 days, adults emerge from June to July.…”

“…As reviewed by USDA (2012), approximately 90% of the last instar larvae pupate mainly on the underside of branches in the tree crown while smaller percentages pupate on the tree trunk (8%) or, rarely, in other places (1%). Therefore, these hosts are suggested as being the main hosts for the purposes of the survey (Kirichenko et al, 2008a(Kirichenko et al, , 2009). Adults do not feed; they live for 5-18 days (EFSA PLH Panel, 2018) and can therefore be found between June and August.…”

“…In its native range, Larix sibirica, Abies sibirica and Pinus sibirica are the preferred hosts. (Kirichenko et al, 2008a(Kirichenko et al, , 2008b(Kirichenko et al, , 2009(Kirichenko et al, , 2011. Therefore, these hosts are suggested as being the main hosts for the purposes of the survey (Kirichenko et al, 2008a(Kirichenko et al, , 2009).…”