ISSN 2375-0979
African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 117-121, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Review
A study of natural enemies and pathogenic agents of gypsy moth
*Seyid Hamid1, Saadi Tarzi2 and Leila Bobak Ferdowsi2
1Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj-Iran
2Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences University of Guilan, Rasht, Guilan, Iran.
*Corresponding author email: [email protected].
Accepted 17 November, 2014
Abstract
The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae), is a forest pest native to Europe and parts of Asia. It was accidentally introduced from Europe into Massachusetts in 1869. The gypsy moth is a highly polyphagous folivore species that feeds on over 300 species of woody plants. Among its most preferred hosts are oaks and aspens. The research was conducted with the purpose of gathering natural enemies and pathogenic agents of gypsy moth. Natural enemies refer to the predators, parasitoids and pathogens that affect pest insects such as the gypsy moth. These natural enemies are important in helping to control gypsy moth outbreaks and in keeping populations low in the years between outbreaks. A diverse group of birds, mammals, amphibians, and insect predators feed on gypsy moth eggs, caterpillars and pupae. Mice are important predators of gypsy moth caterpillars and pupae.
Keywords: Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, natural enemies.