Egg parasitoid complex of the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) on the Thasos Island, Greece

Abstract

The egg parasitoid complex of the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) was surveyed for the first time on the Thasos Island, Greece. A total of 96 egg batches containing 20391 eggs were collected between 06 and 10 of September, 2017 from Aleppo pines (Pinus halepensis) at four sites (Skidia, Thimonia, Alyki and Panagia). Four primary parasitoids were identified (Ooencyrtus pityocampae, Baryscapus servadeii, Anastatus bifasciatus and Trichogramma sp.), as well as the hyperparasitoid B. transversalis. Among the parasitoids groups, O. pityocampae was the most common, followed by B. servadeii, whilst the number of other species was low. The highest survival rate was reported for three species: O. pityocampae, B. servadeii and A. bifasciatus, while the highest was the mortality in Trichogramma sp. All emerged adults of O. pityocampae and B. servadeii were female specimens and in A. bifasciatus – males. The number of females of B. transversalis was three times higher than the one of males. Ooencyrtus pityocampae and B. servadeii were the most important parasitoids of T. pityocampa, destroying respectively 27.1% and 9.9% of the host eggs.