Abstract
In the last decade the cypress jewel beetle Ovalisia festiva (Linnaeus, 1767) has become a real threat in many European countries. Although it was reported from Bulgaria long ago, there is no data on its current status. The aim of this study is to present new data on cypress jewel beetle’s distribution, damage and natural enemies in the country. The research was conducted in the period 2016-2019, with 106 localities on the territory of Bulgaria examined. As a result of the current study 16 localities new for this species were found. Our rearings identified adults of the parasitoid Metacolus unifasciatus Forster, 1856 (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) and the parasitizing mites belonging to genus Pyemotes. Amerling, 1861 (Acarina: Pyemotidae). The parasitoid-host association of M. unifasciatus with O. festiva is considered here a new biological relationship, not previously recorded for these species. Currently the cypress jewel beetle O. festiva is widely distributed in Bulgaria and can be regarded as an important pest in landscaping.
Highlights
The first record of cypress jewel beetle, Ovalisia (Palmar) festiva (Linnaeus, 1767) from Bulgaria was nearly ninety years ago (Roubal 1931)
Taking into account the extensive use of cupressaceans in the landscape practice, the damage caused by O. festiva is of great importance
The aim of this study is to present new data on the distribution, damage and natural enemies of cypress jewel beetle in Bulgaria
Summary
The first record of cypress jewel beetle, Ovalisia (Palmar) festiva (Linnaeus, 1767) from Bulgaria was nearly ninety years ago (Roubal 1931). Until the last few years, the species was considered rare and did not pose a threat to the plants in the country It has been reported as a serious pest on many ornamental species, mostly representatives of Cupressaceae, from many European countries (Razinger et al 2013; Salvetti 2012; Nitzu et al 2016; Volkovitsh & Karpun 2017; Rabl et al 2017). The aim of this study is to present new data on the distribution, damage and natural enemies of cypress jewel beetle in Bulgaria
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