Monitoring and identification of the entomopathogenic fungus Entomophaga maimaiga in Lymantria dispar populations
Abstract
The project aims to investigate the occurence of the entomopathogenic fungus Entomophaga maimaiga (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) as the most prominent natural enemy of larvae of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), in Bulgaria and in Austria. Collections of research material, exchange of scientists, current information, experience and knowledge about the biological regulators of the gypsy moth will be conducted. The gypsy moth belongs to the most important pests of broadleaf forests in both countries, Bulgaria and Austria. Infestations caused by the pest occur regularly in 8-10 year cycles causing catastrophic damages mainly in oak and poplar forests. In 1999-2000 E. maimaiga was successfully introduced in two gypsy moth populations in Bulgaria via inoculum from the US. After the introduction of the pathogen in Bulgaria almost no control measures of gypsy moth were performed. For a period of 10-12 years, E. maimaiga expanded its range (naturally and by introductions) and is now present at more than 20 sites in Bulgaria . The fungus expanded its range to Serbia, Macedonia, Turkey, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary and Slovakia. Since E. maimaiga was established in Slovakia and Hungary in 2014, it is very likely that the fungus already occurs in Austria, too. The aim of this project is to survey L. dispar populations in Austria for the presence of E. maimaiga and to monitor its actual distribution in Bulgaria.
Schlagworte entomopathogene Pilze Entomophaga maimaiga Lymantria dispar Monitoring
Publikationen
Mitarbeiter*innen
Christa Schafellner
Priv.-Doz. Dr.phil. Christa Schafellner
christa.schafellner@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91619
Projektleiter*in
01.07.2017 - 31.01.2020
BOKU Partner
Externe Partner
Bundesamt und Forschungszentrum für Wald (BFW)
Dr. Gernot Hoch
Partner