Gypsy Moth Research Articles

Weak-form inference for hybrid dynamical systems in ecology.

Species subject to predation and environmental threats commonly exhibit variable periods of population boom and bust over long timescales. Understanding and predicting such behaviour, especially given the inherent heterogeneity and stochasticity of exogenous driving factors over short timescales, is an ongoing challenge. A modelling paradigm gaining popularity in the ecological sciences for such multi-scale effects is to couple short-term continuous dynamics to long-term discrete updates. We develop a data-driven method utilizing weak-form equation learning to extract such hybrid governing equations for population dynamics and to estimate the requisite parameters using sparse intermittent measurements of the discrete and continuous variables. The method produces a set of short-term continuous dynamical system equations parametrized by long-term variables, and long-term discrete equations parametrized by short-term variables, allowing direct assessment of interdependencies between the two timescales. We demonstrate the utility of the method on a variety of ecological scenarios and provide extensive tests using models previously derived for epizootics experienced by the North American spongy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar).

Identification and functional analysis of sex-determining genes in the spongy moth, Lymantria dispar (lepidoptera: Erebidae)

The spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) employs a female heterogametic sex-determination system, where the female sex-determining factor (F factor) is located on the W chromosome, and the male sex-determining factor (M factor) is located on the Z chromosome. The sex-determining capabilities of the F factor and M factor vary among subspecies. Consequently, L. dispar serves as an excellent model for studying the mechanisms underlying the evolution and diversity of sex-determining genes. However, the genes encoding the F and M factors, as well as the molecular functions of their translation products, remain unidentified.In this study, we identified a L. dispar Masculinizer ortholog (LdMasc) and found that this gene is highly expressed in male embryos during the sex-determination stage. When LdMasc expression was silenced using embryonic RNA interference (RNAi), the expression pattern of L. dispar doublesex (Lddsx), the master regulatory gene for sex differentiation, shifted from the male-specific form to the female-specific form in male embryos. To identify potential F factors, we screened for genes that were exclusively expressed in females across multiple tissues and located only within the female genome. This screening yielded four unigenes with sequences displaying high homology to each other. These unigenes formed a tandem repeat, comprising approximately 100 copies within a 200 kbp region of the W chromosome-derived contig. We designated these unigenes as Fet-W (female-specifically expressed transcript from the W chromosome). RT-PCR analysis revealed that Fet-W was expressed in a female-specific manner during the sex-determination stage. Suppression of Fet-W expression by embryonic RNAi led to an increase in LdMasc expression in females and a corresponding shift in dsx expression patterns from the female-specific to the male-specific form. These findings strongly suggest that the F factor in L. dispar is Fet-W, whereas the M factor is LdMasc.

Unexpected soundscape response to insecticide application in oak forests.

Rachel Carson's warning of a silent spring directed attention to unwanted side effects of pesticide application. Though her work led to policies restricting insecticide use, various insecticides currently in use affect nontarget organisms and may contribute to population declines. The insecticide tebufenozide is used to control defoliating Lepidoptera in oak forests harboring rich insect faunas. Over 3years, we tested the effect of its aerial application on bird populations with autonomous sound recorders in a large, replicated, full factorial field experiment during a spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) outbreak. The soundscape analysis combined automated aggregation of recordings into sound indices with species identification by experts. After pesticide application in the year of the outbreak, acoustic complexity in early summer was significantly reduced. The soundscape analysis showed that the reduction was not related to birds, but instead to the large reduction in caterpillar feeding and frass dropping. Effects on the vocal activity of birds were smaller than originally expected from a related study demonstrating tebufenozide's negative effect on bird breeding success. The legacy of the pesticide treatment, in terms of soundscape variation, was not present in the second year when the outbreak had ended. Our results showed a dimension of insecticide-induced acoustic variation not immediately accessible to the human ear. It also illustrated how a multifaceted soundscape analysis can be used as a generic approach to quantify the impact of anthropogenic stressors in novel ways by providing an example of remote and continuous sound monitoring not possible in conventional field surveys.

Influence of trap type on the captures of Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae): trials from different European countries.

The spongy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Eribidae), is a serious pest of deciduous forests and causes widespread defoliation. Despite this, few studies have evaluated the wide-ranging surveillance of adult male L. dispar using different types of pheromone-baited traps. We evaluated the effect of trap type on captures of adult male L. dispar at 18 sites in Europe; two in Slovenia, two in Spain, 12 in Greece, one in Hungary, and one in Croatia. Seven different trap types, G trap and eGymer 1-6, were evaluated June-September 2022 and 2023. Generally, captures of L. dispar started in late June and lasted until mid-August. Trap type affected captures. The G trap (consisting of a dark brown plastic rectangular parallel-piped body) caught significantly more L. dispar than other trap types in many instances, particularly when the peak of the flight period occurred. Captures of L. dispar in pairs of different trap types showed a significant correlation in trap catch in most investigations, suggesting that most detected comparable fluctuations in L. dispar abundance. We recommend that the G trap be used for wide-ranging surveillance of L. dispar in Europe.

LdAMPKα2 knockdown accelerated the growth but depressed the chitin biosynthesis in Lymantria dispar larvae

AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) is a crucial cellular energy sensor across all eukaryotic species. Its multiple roles in maintaining energy homeostasis, regulating cellular metabolic processes have been widely investigated in mammals. In contrast, the function of AMPK in insects has been less reported. Here, we successfully identified three AMPK subunits from Lymantria dispar (L. dispar), a Lepidoptera pest in forestry. Based on that, in particular, the role of AMPK signaling in regulating larval development, as well as chitin biosynthesis was investigated by the application of RNAi-mediated LdAMPKα2 knockdown. The results indicated that knockdown of LdAMPKα2 significantly increased the body weight of L. dispar larvae, and dramatically upregulated the expression of LdmTOR, LdS6K and LdSREBP1, the key genes in mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway. While, it significantly reduced the expression of Ld4EBP, a critical repressor of mTOR pathway. Besides, the glucose level was increased and trehalose level was decreased in L. dispar after LdAMPKα2 silencing. Furthermore, we found that the chitin content in the epidermis, as well as the expressions of four key genes in the chitin biosynthesis pathway, LdGFAT, LdPAGM, LdUAP and LdCHSA, were significantly decreased after LdAMPKα2 knockdown. Taken together, these results revealed that AMPK signaling played a pivotal role in regulating the growth and development, as well as carbohydrate metabolism and chitin biosynthesis in L. dispar larvae. The findings expand our understanding of the comprehensive regulatory role of AMPK signaling in insects.

Genotypic Variation and Potential Mechanisms of Resistance against Multiple Insect Herbivores in Cranberries.

Plant genotypes often exhibit varying resistance levels to herbivores. However, the impact of this genotypic variation on resistance against multiple herbivores remains poorly understood, especially in crops undergoing recent process of domestication. To address this gap, we studied the magnitude and mechanism of resistance in 12 cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) genotypes to three leaf-chewing herbivores - Sparganothis fruitworm (Sparganothis sulfureana), spotted fireworm (Choristoneura parallela), and spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) - along a domestication gradient (native 'wild' genotypes, 'early hybrid' genotypes, and 'modern hybrid' genotypes). Like cranberries, S. sulfureana and C. parallela are native to the United Sates, while L. dispar is an invasive pest. We measured the survival and growth of larvae on each genotype, as well as variation in plant performance (height and biomass) and leaf defensive chemical traits (C/N ratio, total phenolics, total proanthocyanidins, and flavonols levels) in these genotypes to elucidate potential resistance mechanisms. We found differences in C. parallela and L. dispar larval performance across genotypes, with larvae performing better on the modern hybrid genotypes, while S. sulfureana showed no differences. Morphological and chemical traits varied among genotypes, with total phenolics being the only trait correlated with C. parallela and L. dispar larval performance. Notably, the wild genotypes 'McFarlin' and 'Potter' had higher total phenolics and were more resistant to both herbivores than the modern hybrids 'Demoranville' and 'Mullica Queen.' This research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the impact of crop domestication on multiple insect herbivores, offering insights for future breeding efforts to enhance host-plant resistance against agricultural pests.

Rising temperatures may increase fungal epizootics in northern populations of the invasive spongy moth in North America

Insect pest species are generally expected to become more destructive with climate change because of factors such as weakened host tree defences during droughts and increased voltinism under rising temperatures; however, responses will vary by species due to a variety of factors, including altered interactions with their natural enemies. Entomopathogens are a substantial source of mortality in insects, but the likelihood of epizootics can depend strongly on climatic conditions. Previous research indicates that rates of infection of the spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) by its host-specific fungal pathogen, Entomophaga maimaiga, increase with environmental moisture and decrease as temperatures rise. High temperatures may have direct and indirect (due to the associated drying) effects on the fungus, but the interactive effects between temperature and moisture level on larval infection are unclear. Here, we test the hypothesis that warmer, drier conditions will decrease rates of infection of spongy moth larvae by E. maimaiga. We evaluated the effects of precipitation and temperature on larval mortality caused by E. maimaiga with a manipulative field experiment, conducted in one of the northernmost and coldest parts of the spongy moth’s non-native range in North America. We caged laboratory-reared spongy moth larvae in experimentally warmed open-air forest plots, exposing the larvae to soil inoculated with E. maimaiga resting spores during two consecutive trials. Caged larvae were exposed to three temperature treatments — ambient, 1.7 °C above ambient and 3.4 °C above ambient — and either supplemental precipitation (+173 mm per trial) or ambient precipitation. Opposite to our hypothesis, there was no significant effect of supplemental precipitation, nor an interaction between precipitation and temperature. There was, however, a significant positive effect of increasing temperature on the number of larvae infected. On average, in each respective trial, larval infection increased by 44% and 50% under the elevated temperature treatments compared to ambient temperature. Experimental warming may have increased infections because ambient temperatures at the field site were suboptimal for fungal germination. The results from this experiment suggest that, in colder portions of the spongy moth’s invasive range, increasing temperatures due to climate change may enhance the ability of E. maimaiga to help control populations of the spongy moth.

Exploring Opportunities and Challenges: SWOT Analysis for Advancing Smart Tech Solutions in Managing Lymantria dispar dispar Infestations in Forests of the European Union

The European spongy moth, Lymantria dispar dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), originating from Eurasia, is found in Europe, Africa, and North America. Its polyphagous larvae infest deciduous and coniferous trees, causing severe damage during mass outbreak years. Thus, it is listed as one of the top 100 invasive alien species worldwide. The management and containment of this pest vary significantly between Europe and North America, with North America exhibiting a more robust response regarding the containment of the outbreaks. This study evaluates the current state of the European Union (EU-27) forests’ legal, political and cooperative protection frameworks concerning L. dispar dispar. We identified active and potential new stakeholders to assess the level of national and international collaboration in forest protection. We conducted a SWOT analysis to propose new strategies and solutions, aiming for enhanced cooperation in protecting EU forests from L. dispar dispar outbreaks. Our findings highlight the potential of new monitoring and reporting technologies and the importance of increased social and political awareness through social media and public campaigns. These measures would enable more centralized and coordinated efforts among member states. A few of the most significant results in each category of SWOT analysis are as follows: for strengths, a well-established network of EU and national stakeholders exists; for opportunities, emerging innovative technologies, such as IoT, AI, and 5G, are transforming our approach to forest protection; for weaknesses, there is a lack of informed choices regarding proactive measures to contain the outbreak due to a lack of centralized EU coordination and the inefficiencies of national state policies. Finally, the numerous threats to the well-being of EU forests competing for the attention of institutions and relevant stakeholders is by far one of the most important parameters regarding the threats to the EU’s forest protection. The study advocates for a unified, technologically advanced approach to manage and mitigate L. dispar dispar impacts in European forests, emphasizing the need for strengthened international cooperation and the strategic implementation of innovative solutions.

Response of parasitoid communities to insecticide application during a Lymantria dispar outbreak in mixed oak forests

Abstract In the temperate mixed oak forests of Central Europe, outbreaks of insects such as the spongy moth, Lymantria dispar, can cause severe defoliation and insecticide is sometimes applied for their control. Parasitoids, mainly Hymenoptera and Diptera, are among the most diverse and important natural enemies of caterpillars in these forests. However, due to their cryptic lifestyle and taxonomic difficulties, we lack knowledge on the impact of insecticide applications on complex host‐parasitoid networks. In a large‐scale field experiment, we tested the effect of spraying the lepidopteran‐specific insecticide Mimic (tebufenozide) on the abundance and community composition of both adult and larval parasitoids. We combined morphological identification, DNA barcoding and metabarcoding to identify parasitoids adult or inside caterpillars, both sampled by canopy fogging during an outbreak and two subsequent years. We analysed the abundance of parasitoids, community composition and network specialisation using statistical methods that account for sample incompleteness in host‐parasitoid data. For adult parasitoid assemblages, we found strong annual effects on abundance, with highest numbers of adult parasitoids occurring in the outbreak year, as well as on annual changes in community composition, but no effect linked to insecticide application. However, the abundance and species number of immature parasitoids revealed negative effects of insecticide application, while community composition was only affected by annual variation. Coverage‐based network analyses showed a reduction of taxonomic network diversity and network specialisation associated with insecticide application in the first 2 years. Synthesis and applications: This real‐world experiment shows that parasitoid populations respond immediately to large‐scale outbreaks but only limited to local disturbances. Results indicate that this group of natural enemies exhibits high mobility, enabling them to track host populations across large spatial scales. However, our observation of reduced network specialisation after insecticide application is a warning signal that ecosystem function, and consequently natural pest control services, may be impaired by human interference at the local stand scale.

Cd exposure confers β-cypermethrin tolerance in Lymantria dispar by activating the ROS/CnCC signaling pathway-mediated P450 detoxification

Heavy metal pollutants are important abiotic environmental factors affecting pest habitats. In this study, Cd pre-exposure significantly increased the tolerance of Lymantria dispar larvae to β-cypermethrin, but did not significantly alter their tolerance to λ-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin. The activation of P450 by Cd exposure is the key mechanism that induces insecticide cross-tolerance in L. dispar larvae. Both before and after β-cypermethrin treatment, Cd exposure significantly increased the expression of CYP6AB224 and CYP6AB226 in L. dispar larvae. Silencing CYP6AB224 and CYP6AB226 reduced the tolerance of Cd-treated L. dispar larvae to β-cypermethrin. Transgenic CYP6AB224 and CYP6AB226 genes significantly increased the tolerance of Drosophila and Sf9 cells to β-cypermethrin, and the recombinant proteins of both genes could significantly metabolise β-cypermethrin. Cd exposure significantly increased the expression of CnCC and Maf. CnCC was found to be a key transcription factor regulating CYP6AB224- and CYP6AB226-activated insecticide cross-tolerance in Cd-treated larvae. Decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the Cd-treated larvae or increasing ROS levels in the untreated larvae reduced or enhanced the expression of CnCC, CYP6AB224 and CYP6AB226 and β-cypermethrin tolerance in L. dispar larvae, respectively. Collectively, Cd exposure confers β-cypermethrin tolerance in L. dispar larvae through the ROS/CnCC signalling pathway-mediated P450 detoxification.

Improving the Monitoring and Control of Egg Vitality of Lymantria dispar Linnaeus 1758 Using an Innovative Device and Procedure for Removing Egg Hairs

Spongy moth (Lymantria dispar Linnaeus 1758) populations have the potential to reach outbreak levels, causing disruptions to forest ecosystems across Eurasia and North America. Continuous monitoring of the size and health of the spongy moth population in the egg stage is important for managing population outbreaks. Current methods include counting eggs within egg masses using manual methods. This study introduces an innovative solution aimed at optimizing the prediction of biotic disturbances and preventing the potential risks associated with spongy moth population outbreaks. The challenges and constraints related to the process of hair removal from spongy moth eggs have been effectively addressed through the development of a device powered by a torque-generating unit. This study aims to (1) introduce a novel device designed for the removal of hairs from spongy moth (L. dispar) eggs; (2) introduce a new hair removal procedure; and (3) empirically demonstrate the benefits of the introduced innovations. The introduced device and the procedure enable a significantly expedited diagnosis of the potential for a population outbreak in the current year, with the potential for widespread utilization. This invention enhances our understanding of predicting biotic disorders and facilitates the rapid assessment of the risk of their occurrence.

Current and Future Insect Threats to Oaks of the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeastern United States and Canada

Increasing temperatures, prolonged drought, the increased severity and intensity of storms, and other effects of climate change are being felt globally, and long-lived forest tree species may struggle in their current ranges. Oaks (Quercus spp.) have evolved a range of adaptations to dry and hot conditions and are believed to be a “climate change winner” by increasing their suitable habitat. However, a mixture of life history traits and increasing susceptibility to herbivores and xylovores as well as secondary pathogen infections still put oaks at risk of decline. Oak species found in the Midwestern, Great Lakes, and Northeastern United States and Canada are important keystone species with high ecological and economical importance. They are also vulnerable to existing, new, and emerging threats that have the potential to cause mortality across entire stands quickly. Current examples of insect threats include the Lymantria dispar (spongy moth), Agrilus bilineatus (twolined chestnut borer), and Nitidulidae (sap beetles) as disease vectors. Examples of emerging insects of concern include Cynipidae (oak gall wasps) and Enaphalodes rufulus (red oak borer). This study describes these insects, explains their mechanisms of action and the effects on oaks, and explores mitigation strategies for each.

Forest defoliation by an invasive outbreak insect: Catastrophic consequences for a charismatic mega moth.

Earth is now experiencing declines in insect abundance and diversity unparalleled in human history. The drivers underlying those declines are many, complex, and incompletely known. Here, using a natural experiment, we report the first test of the hypothesis that forest defoliation by an invasive outbreak insect compromises the fitness of a native insect via damage-induced increases in toxicity of the forest canopy. We demonstrate that defoliation by the invasive spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) elicits an average 8.4-fold increase in foliar defense expression among aspen (Populus tremuloides) genotypes. In turn, elevated defense dramatically reduces survivorship, feeding, and growth of a charismatic mega moth (Anthereae polyphemus). This work suggests that changes to the phytochemical landscape of forests, mediated by invasive outbreak insects, are likely to negatively impact native insects, with potential repercussions for community diversity and ecosystem function across expansive scales.

Ontogenetic variation in metabolic rate-temperature relationships during larval development.

Predictive models of ectotherm responses to environmental change often rely on thermal performance data from the literature. For insects, the majority of these data focus on two traits, development rate and thermal tolerance limits. Data are also often limited to the adult stage. Consequently, predictions based on these data generally ignore other measures of thermal performance and do not account for the role of ontogenetic variation in thermal physiology across the complex insect life cycle. Theoretical syntheses for predicting metabolic rate also make similar assumptions despite the strong influence of body size as well as temperature on metabolic rate. The aim of this study was to understand the influence of ontogenetic variation on ectotherm physiology and its potential impact on predictive modeling. To do this, we examined metabolic rate-temperature (MR-T) relationships across the larval stage in a laboratory strain of the spongy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar). Routine metabolic rates (RMRs) of larvae were assayed at eight temperatures across the first five instars of the larval stage. After accounting for differences in body mass, larval instars showed significant variation in MR-T. Both the temperature sensitivity and allometry of RMR increased and peaked during the third instar, then declined in the fourth and fifth instar. Generally, these results show that insect thermal physiology does not remain static during larval ontogeny and suggest that ontogenetic variation should be an important consideration when modeling thermal performance.

Embryonic death as a probable reason for the collapse of population densities in Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Lymantriinae)

For the first time the causes of mass death of embryos in a population of Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758) with biochemical and molecular methods are investigated. In this study egg masses were collected in the territory of Russia from two populations, with low (the West Siberian population) and high (Trans-Ural) density and analyzed. Spring hatching of larvae from the eggs stored under constant laboratory conditions at 2º C was two times lower for insects of the Trans-Ural (TU) population compared to the West Siberian (WS) population (43 ± 6 % and 86 ± 7 % accordingly). The level of virus defined by PCR for TU and WS populations was 76±9 % and 36±6%, respectively. The major components of eggs were the same between populations. However, we found decreased concentrations of proteins important for embryogenesis in TU population, such as an arilforin-like molecule and no vitellin 2-like component. Field data were comparable to those of the laboratory, and in TU populations there was a decrease of density. The obtained results suggest that alteration in hormonal balance of the infected with nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) insects may lead to a decrease or absence of some key proteins of embryogenesis in eggs. It can influence hatching of larvae from eggs and, accordingly, population dynamics of the lepidopteran.

Mating Disruption of a Flighted Spongy Moth, Lymantria Dispar Japonica (Motchulsky) in Japan.

Mating disruption of a flighted spongy moth, Lymantria dispar japonica (Motchulsky)(Lepidoptera: Lymantridae), with a synthetic version of its sex pheromone, (+)-disparlure ([7R,8S] -cis-7,8-epoxy-2- methyloctadecane), was tested in the forests in Japan. Pheromone trap catches and the percentage mating of tethered females were measured in the pheromone-treated and untreated control forests. The attraction of male moths to pheromone traps placed at a height of 1.5m was significantly disrupted when the pheromone dispensers were placed at 1.5m height, but many moths were captured in control plots. Mating of tethered females placed at 1.5m was inhibited entirely, while 44% of females were mated in an untreated control forest. We report the first trial of mating disruption against a flighted spongy moth, and these results suggest that mating disruption with the synthetic sex pheromone appears promising for reducing damage caused by L. dispar japonica.

An Autoregulatory Model of Forest Insect Population Dynamics and Forest Stand Damage Dynamics in Different Habitats: An Example of Lymantria dispar L.

This paper addresses the problem of constructing a mathematical model of population density dynamics and the dynamics of forest areas damaged by spongy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) outbreaks in the United States, Europe, Russia, and Japan. The key variable of the model is either the pest population density or the area of forests damaged by spongy moths during a season. This variable can be considered proportional to the total current pest abundance in the study area. For the purposes of modeling, data from a number of different authors was used (see bibliography), as well as data from surveys conducted at the egg or caterpillar stage. The complexity of modeling the dynamics of L. dispar abundance is largely due to the fact that, when studying the dynamics of spongy moth population density, the values of external factors such as parasites, predators, and the amount of available food are often unknown. A simple model was proposed using only two types of data: population density and monthly weather characteristics. Our analysis demonstrated that, even in the absence of knowledge regarding the characteristics of ecosystem components interacting with the spongy moth population (parasites, predators, and the state of forage trees), it is possible to introduce models that characterize the regulatory processes in the population in terms of (i) the presence of negative and positive feedbacks in the system and (ii) the influence of external weather factors. The system under investigation was described as an autoregressive system, whereby the current state of the population is dependent on its state in previous years. The order of autoregression in the system was estimated using the order of the maximum significant partial autocorrelation function. It was found that the regulation of spongy moth population density was characterized by the presence of two feedback loops: positive feedback between the current population density and the population density in the previous season and negative feedback between the current population density and the population density two years ago. To evaluate the model, its stability margin was calculated and found to be directly proportional to the positive feedback coefficient and inversely proportional to the negative feedback coefficient. The model was demonstrated to explain up to 90% of the observed variance of real data. Although the model coefficients for different local populations (North America, Europe, and Asia) differ, the general form of the equation describing both direct data on population densities and indirect data on pest dynamics characterized by areas of stand damage is consistent. Consequently, the form of the ADL model is general, irrespective of the location of the local population.

Integration of satellite remote sensing and MaxEnt modeling for improved detection and management of forest pests.

Forest pests pose a major threat to ecosystem services worldwide, requiring effective monitoring and management strategies. Recently, satellite remote sensing has emerged as a valuable tool to detect defoliation caused by these pests. Lymantria dispar, a major forest pest native to Japan, Siberia, and Europe, as well as introduced regions in North America, is of particular concern. In this study, we used Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to estimate the defoliation area and predict the distribution of L. dispar in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan. The primary aim was to understand the spatial distribution of L. dispar. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) difference analysis estimated a defoliation area of 7.89 km2 in Toyama Prefecture for the year 2022. MaxEnt modeling, using defoliation map as occurrence data, identified the deciduous forests between approximately 35° and 50° at elevations of 400m and 700m as highly suitable for L. dispar. This predicted suitability was also high for larval locations but low for egg mass locations, likely due to differences in larval habitats and ovipositing sites. This study is the first attempt to utilize NDVI-based estimates as a proxy for MaxEnt. Our results showed higher prediction accuracy than a previous study based on the occurrence records including larvae, adults, and egg masses, indicating better discrimination of the distribution of L. dispar defoliation. Therefore, our approach to integrating satellite data and species distribution models can potentially enhance the assessment of areas affected by pests for effective forest management.

The Main Pests Are Insects and Diseases of Agricultural Crops in the South of Kyrgyzstan

In the south of Kyrgyzstan, the largest areas are occupied by agrocenosis of vegetable, fruit, industrial, and grain crops. The article presents the main pests and pathogens of agricultural crops in the south of Kyrgyzstan. The purpose of the research is to identify the dominant pests and diseases of agricultural crops and to find effective biological measures to combat them in the conditions of southern Kyrgyzstan. In recent years, outbreaks of mass reproduction of tomato mining moth (Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917)) on tomatoes, cherry slimy sawfly (Caliroa cerasi (Linnaeus, 1758)) and cherry fly (Rhagoletis cerasi (Linnaeus, 1758)) on cherries and cherries, Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineataSay), late blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary) on potatoes, powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum f. cucurbitacearumPot.) on vegetables, corn moth (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner, 1796), bread beetle (Zabrus tenebrioides (Goeze, 1777)) and bug (Eurygaster integriceps Puton, 1881) on cereals, mite (Tetranychus urticae), aphid (Aphidoidea) and cotton scooper (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner) on cotton, phytonomus (Phytonomus variabilis) on perennial grasses, winter scooper (Agrotis segetum (Denis et Schiffermüller) 1775), apple moth (Carpocapsa pomonella (Linnaeus, 1758)), apple moth (Hyponomeuta malinellus (Zeller, 1838)), unpaired silkworm (Lymantria dispar Linnaeus, 1758), curly leaves (Taphrina deformans (Berk.) Tul.), bacterial burn (Erwinia amylovora (Burrill, 1882) Winslow et al., 1920), scab (Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) G. Winter) and powdery mildew on fruit crops, epiphytotic rust diseases (Puccinia) of cereals, oatmeal (Avena fatua) and sunflowers (Barbarea vulgaris) on cereals. An overview of drugs used in crop protection systems is also given. Chemical pesticides still remain the main means of protecting agricultural crops from pests and diseases, in the future, the use of the latest technologies in plant protection, the introduction of new biological preparations into plant protection practice should be used.

The impact of spongy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) defoliation on carbon balance of a temperate deciduous forest in North America

Temperate deciduous forests are an important contributor to the global carbon (C) sink. However, changes in environmental conditions and natural disturbances such as insect infestations can impact carbon sequestration capabilities of these forests. While, insect infestations are expected to increase in warmer future climates, there is a lack of knowledge on the quantitative impact of these natural disturbances on the carbon balance of temperate deciduous forests. In 2021, a record-breaking defoliation, caused by the spongy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD), formerly knows as the gypsy moth) occurred in eastern North America. In this study, we assess the impact of this spongy moth defoliation on carbon uptake in a mature oak-dominated temperate forest in the Great Lakes region in Canada, using eddy covariance flux data from 2012 to 2022. Study results showed that the forest was a large C sink with mean annual net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of 207 ± 77 g C m–2 yr−1 from 2012 to 2022, excluding 2021, which experienced the infestation. Over this period mean annual gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) was 1,398 ± 137 g C m–2 yr−1, while ecosystem respiration (RE) was 1,209 ± 139 g C m–2 yr−1. However, in 2021 due to defoliation in the early growing season, annual GEP of the forest declined to 959 g C m–2 yr−1, while annual RE increased to 1,345 g C m–2 yr−1 causing the forest to become a large source of C with annual NEP of -351 g C m–2 yr−1. The forest showed a rapid recovery from this major disturbance event, with annual GEP, RE, and NEP values of 1,671, 1,287, and 298 g C m–2 yr−1, respectively in 2022 indicating that the forest was once again a large C sink. This study demonstrates that major transient natural disturbances under changing climate can have a significant impact on forest C dynamics. The extent to which North American temperate forests will remain a major C sink will depend on the severity and intensity of these disturbance events and the rate of recovery of forests following disturbances. Lay abstractTemperate deciduous forests play an important role in carbon sequestration from the atmosphere. However, the impact of climate change, extreme weather, and disturbance events can alter the extent to which these forests sequester carbon, in some cases shifting their role from being a carbon sink to becoming a carbon source to the atmosphere. In 2021, a spongy moth infestation severely defoliated a mature oak-dominated temperate forest north of Lake Erie, Ontario, Canada, turning the forest from a 10-year mean carbon sink of about 2 tons of carbon per hectare to a carbon source of about 3.5 tons of carbon per hectare. Our analysis indicates that meteorological conditions during the early growing season might have influenced the severity of this infestation. Specifically, the prevalence of dry and warm weather conditions enabled the moth to survive and thrive longer. This study shows the significant influence of natural disturbances on forest carbon dynamics as temperatures continue to rise due to climate change. The future role forests play in carbon sequestration will be determined by the severity of disturbance events and the effectiveness of forests to recover in the aftermath of these events.