Invasive leafminer moths (Gracillariidae stainton, 1854) in fauna of the Botanical Garden of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University

Abstract

History of Lepidoptera adventitious species invasion on territory of the Botanical Garden of the Oles Gonchar Dnipro national university dates back over 15 years. During this period, four invader species belonging to leaf blotch miner moth family (Gracillariidae Stainton, 1854) were found: horse-chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella Deschka et Dimić, 1986), lime leaf miner (Phyllonorycter issikiimama, 1963), black locust leaf miners (Parectopa robiniella Clemens, 1863 and Phyllonorycter robiniella Clemens, 1859).
 Spectrum of trophic relationships of leaf-mining lepidoptera invasive complex on territory of the Botanical Garden was established, invading species of the family Gracillariidae were found on horse chestnut leaves (Aesculus hippocastanum L., 1753), Norway maple (Acer platanoides L., 1753), and linden european (Tilia ×europaea L., 1753).
 Assessment of leaf damage status was provided. The largest damages were registered on horse chestnut, up to 80% trees of which were completely defoliated by the end of summer period, which eventually leads to drying out and subsequent death of the trees.
 Of particular concern is outbreak of black locust leafminer moths complex. For the first time their mines were registered in 2007. Since then, it can be stated that all Robinia trees growing in the botanical garden were settled with the miners. Statistical processing data obtained during the morphological studies of mines of both species indicate a their great ecological plasticity.
 The most recent invasion of adventitious species Gracillariidae can be considered the emergence of Phyllonorycter issikii. The first registrations were carried out in 2015; since then the species is recorded annually on Tilia cordata. For all the time of observation, this species did not show a tendency to increase in numbers, and it has not been registered on other Tilia species.