Larval performances and life cycle completion of the Siberian moth, Dendrolimus sibiricus (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), on potential host plants in Europe: a laboratory study on potted trees

Abstract

The Siberian moth, Dendrolimus sibiricus, Tschtv. is the most harmful defoliator of coniferous forests in North Asia. The pest has already spread over the Urals and continues moving westwards. Recently, it has been recommended for quarantine in member countries by European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). The performances of the pest on coniferous species planted in Europe were assessed on a range of potted trees corresponding to the spectrum of economically important conifers in the EU: European larch Larix decidua, Norway spruce Picea abies, Scots pine Pinus sylvestris, European black pine Pinus nigra, and the North American species: Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii and grand fir Abies grandis. Larvae showed a potential to survive and complete the development on all these host tree species. Favorable hosts were grand fir, European larch, and Douglas fir that allowed higher survival, better larval development, and as a result, yielded heavier pupae and adult moths with higher longevity. Black pine was a poor host but, however, could still support larval and pupal development. Norway spruce and Scots pine had an intermediate behavior. If accidentally introduced to Europe, the Siberian moth may become especially damaging in forest stands predominated by European larch and by the North American firs. Norway spruce and especially the two-needle pines will be less prone to intensive defoliation by this species. The fact that the pest may damage the range of economically important coniferous species should be taken into account in the pest risk assessment for Europe and also for North America where the Siberian moth occurrence is considered likely.

Modelling of the spread of a potential invasive pest, the Siberian moth (Dendrolimus sibiricus) in Europe

“…and especially 2-needle Pinus spp., the larval survival and growth rate are lower than in Larix spp. (Kirichenko et al 2009, Kirichenko et al 2011).…”

“…The SM is a potentially dangerous invasive pest because many European conifer species from the genera Larix, Abies, Picea and Pseudotsuga are susceptible to it. Two-needle Pinus species are poor hosts for the SM due to low larval survival and growth rate with a result that very few moths can complete their development in 2needle pines (Kirichenko et al 2009(Kirichenko et al , 2011. Therefore, the SM usually avoids Pinus sylvestris stands when more favorable food is available (Rozhkov 1963).…”

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.…”

“…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).…”

Survival and Recovery of the Pine-Tree Lappet Dendrolimus pini When Subjected to Simulated Starvation

“…Alien insect pest invasions can have significant negative ecological and economical effects on forests due to the slow growth of trees and their defoliation by pests. The prediction of forest insect invasions into new regions is an important issue [12,13], particularly for countries with high forest coverage [14]. Governments have taken steps to counteract the risk of the spread of alien pests to native plant species.…”