Tachinid (Diptera: Tachinidae) parasitoids of spotted ash looper (Abraxas pantaria) in Krka National Park in Croatia

Background and purpose: Spotted ash looper, Abraxas pantaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) causes defoliations of narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) in Croatia, mainly in Krka National Park. Since controlling pests with insecticides is not possible in protected areas, biological pest control might be a valuable option. The first step in the study of its application is the research on hosts and their natural enemies. Not much is known about the parasitoid spectrum of A. pantaria in Croatia, so the aim of this research is to identify the parasitoid species which could influence the population density of this potential forest pest. Materials and methods: Pupae of A. pantaria were studied in 2010 at several locations along the River Krka in Krka National Park. This area was chosen because total defoliation of ash was observed in 2010. Results and conclusions: Five tachinid species were reared from Abraxas pantaria: Phryxe nemea, Bactromyia aurulenta, Senometopia sp., Pales pavida and Eurysthaea scutellaris. All species are generalist parasitoids. Phryxe nemea is the first record for this host

Forewarned is forearmed : harmonized approaches for early detection of potentially invasive pests and pathogens in sentinel plantings

This work was supported by COST Action Global Warning (FP1401). DLM and YB contribution was also supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant No. 17-04-01486). MG was supported by Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, Grant III43002. MKA was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland. NK was supported by Le Studium foundation (France) and RFBR (Grant No. 19-04-01029). RE, IF and MK contribution was also supported by CABI with core financial support from its member countries (see http://www.cabi.org/about-cabi/who-we-work-with/key-donors/ for details). IF contribution was further supported through a grant from the Swiss State Secretariat for Science, Education and Research (Grant C15.0081, awarded to RE).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Climate Warming and Past and Present Distribution of the Processionary Moths (Thaumetopoea spp.) in Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa

International audiencePine processionary moth, Thaumetopea pityocampa, is a model insect indicator of global warming, the northwards and upwards range expansion of this Mediterranean species being directly associated with the recent warming up. The knowledge about the drivers of moth expansion is synthesized. A first standardized mapping of the northern expansion edge, from Western Europe to Turkey, is presented, then detailed for 20 countries of Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa, including future trends. Additional data about the responses of the other Thaumetopoea species are given. Finally, the chapter points out the importance of the man-mediated introductions in the expansion process