Zoophagous entomofauna and entomopathogenic agents reported on Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) in north-western of Romania

Abstract

In Europe, the box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) was first reported in 2006, in southwestern Germany, then spread to almost all countries. Larvae of this species affect the aesthetic value of the box tree. In the last period, numerous studies were carried out regarding the identification of useful entomofauna that reduce the numerical density of the population of Cydalima perspectalis. In this study conducted in north-western Romania (Cluj County, in 2019), entomopathogens and useful entomofauna were monitored in four areas, represented by four cities. The entomopathogenic agents contaminated the larvae of the box tree moth in a proportion of 5.6% at Gherla, 6.8% at Dej, 8.7% at Cluj-Napoca and 15.3% at Ciucea. Most larvae have been infected with Bacillus. At Cluj-Napoca and Ciucea, the presence of the larval endoparasite Exorista larvarum L. (Diptera: Tachinidae) was reported. Parasitoid species determined a parasitization rate of 5.1% at Dej, 8.6% at Gherla and 13.4% at Cluj-Napoca. Predators affected pupae in a proportion of 3.8% at Gherla, 4.2% at Dej and 16% at Cluj-Napoca. Among the pupae predators, for the first-time common earwig was reported, Forficula auricularia L. Entomopathogenic agents affected 5.3% of the pupae collected from Cluj-Napoca, 7.7% in Gherla and 12.5% in Dej. During the monitoring period of the zoophagous entomofauna and the entomopathogenic microorganisms, affected the pupae in a percentage of 20.1% in Gherla, 21.8% in Dej, 34.7% in Cluj-Napoca, contributing to the diminution of the population of the harmful species.

Potential of entomopathogens in biological control of the box-tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

“…Harizanova et al (2018) monitored bacterial entomopathogen flora in C. perspectalis populations and found an average contamination of 10.2% with Bacillus anaericanus and 52.4% with Bacillus popilliae. In a similar study, Hulujan et al (2021) found that most larvae have been infected with Bacillus species. Moreover, Bacillus thuringiensis was isolated from C. perspectalis larvae in natural populations, and 85% mortality was obtained with this isolate in bioassay trials (Usta 2022).…”

Survey of Natural Enemies of the Invasive Boxwood Moth Cydalima perspectalis in Southwestern Mediterranean Europe and Biocontrol Potential of a Native Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. Strain

“…It has also been recently detected in France [50], Iran [51] and other regions of Spain (personal communication). Occasionally, another dipteran species, Exorista larvarum (L.), is reported in Romania as C. perspectalis [52], but Martini et al [53] indicated that C. perspectalis is not a suitable host for this parasitoid. Although the most recent works on C. concinnata are related to the introduction of the parasitoid for the control of Lymantria dispar (L., 1778) in the United States, the species is native to Europe.…”

The Contribution of the Research and Development Institute for Plant Protection to the First Detection of Invasive Insect Pest Species in Romania

“…Since 2010 the pest has spread throughout the country. Hulujan et al (2021) in a study conducted in western Romania, on the natural enemies, found that pupae of the box tree moth had a parasitism rate between 9.2 and 18.8% and a predation frequency between 12.5 and 19%. The earwig Forficula auricularia L. was observed feeding on moth pupae.…”