New invasions of alien insects into the european part of Russia

Abstract

According to our data, during the period from the late 19th century to 1990, a newly established alien phytophagous insect species was recorded within the territory of the former Soviet Union on average every 22 months. The rapid development of international and intercontinental trade stimulated such invasions. Since 1991, a new species has been recorded in European Russia on average every 18 months, and during the first eight years of the new century every 12 months. The article provides an annotated checklist of the 13 alien phytophagous insect species that have most recently established themselves in the different habitats of European Russia. All these species, without exceptions, can be considered as pests of plants. Two main invasion inflows are outlined: the western and the eastern. The data provided can be used for predicting invasions and as a recommendation to update the current List of Quarantine Objects.