Invasive pest - box tree moth Cydalimaperspectalis Walker. (1859) - and main biological aspects in Georgia

Abstract

The paper concerns box tree (Buxus colchica), the relic of Georgian flora and endemic of the Caucasian dendroflora and the very dangerous invasive pest, that spread on these trees - Cydalima perspectalis, that in 2012together with the planting material of evergreen box tree (Buxus sempervirens), imported from Italy for greening of the Olympic village entered in Sochi; the pest invaded the territory of Sochi, and since 2013 from there the outbreak of the best began, firstly on the territory of the town and then on plantings of the National park, that caused almost 100% defoliation of box tree. From Sochi the pest spread on box trees of the Black Sea coastland of Georgia and began their aggressive destruction. After that the pest has spread in parks and gardens of the whole Georgia, where box tree grew. The pest feeds on box tree leaves, and when leaves exhaust, they may additionally feed on peel of young shoots. Now the Colchic box tree is in very bad condition. Before the box tree moth, in 2009-2010 the invasive disease box blight Cylindrocladium buxicola has spread in Georgia, that destroyed more than a half box trees, and further box tree moth C. perspectalis added to it. The paper describes the results of study of the main aspects of biology of box tree moth, promotion of reproduction of resistant species by artificial grafting and pest control measures.