Ecological characteristics of the siberian silkmoth (Dendrolimus sibiricus) (Insecta, Lasiocampidae) habitat in the Sayan montane conifer forests ecoregion

Abstract

The article is devoted to studying the siberian silkmoth ( Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetverikov, 1908) outbreaks, which is highly relevant today. The study was aimed at improving the system of forest pathology monitoring by revealing factors contributing to forest stand resistance to the pest attacks. We analyze the habitat conditions that are favorable for the siberian silkmoth in the early stages of its development and during the outbreak in dark coniferous taiga in the mountains of Southern Siberia (particularly, the Krasnoyarsk region). The research was based on remote sensing data combined with field data obtained in disturbed forests where we also con-ducted a pest population assessment. The habitat characteristics were based on the forest type and silvicultural and forest inventory details. We an alyzed environmental conditions and their influence on the pest reproduction. As a result, we divided  the forest stands by their resistance to insect attacks. Primary habitats are stands with moss-covered forest floor, secondary habitats are stands with herbs-covered forest floor, and tertiary habitats are depressions with wet soils (forests along streams or swamp forests). We revealed the  D. sibiricus population density dynamics related to the forest stands structure. The present research lets us  determine forest sites vulnerable to pest attacks and conduct spatial monitoring of  their dynamics and resistance.