Urszula Walczak

Appearance and migration of the horse-chestnut leafminer Cameraria ohridella in relation to city size and leaf-raking, using the example of two cities in Western Poland

Possible differences in the size and dynamics of the appearance of particular generations of Cameraria ohridella were studied at two city sites of different size and character. The differences in the degree of infestation of Aesculus hippocastanum by the horse chestnut leafminer in the two towns are interpreted as a result of the differences in the size of food resources. The greater degree of infestation of trees in Mosina relative to trees in Poznań is most probably a result of the difficulty of aerial dispersion and thereby much stronger competition for food. This conclusion confirms a positive correlation of the distance between localities with the degree of tree infestation in a small town and the lack of such a correlation in a big city. The presence of refuges in the city outskirts at which no raking and removal of leaves is performed does not seem to have a significant effect on the degree of horse chestnut infestation in the centre.

Light conditions affect the performance of Yponomeuta evonymellus on its native host Prunus padus and the alien Prunus serotina

The bird cherry ermine moth, Yponomeuta evonymellus L., is considered an obligatory monophagous insect pest that feeds only on native European Prunus padus L. In recent years, however, increased larval feeding on alien P. serotina Ehrh. has been observed. In both species, general defoliation is extensive for shade grown trees, whereas it is high in P. padus, but very low in P. serotina, when trees are grown in full light conditions. The aim of the present study was to identify how the plant host species and light conditions affect the performance of Y. evonymellus. The influence of host species and light condition on their growth and development, characterized by the parameters of pupation, adult eclosion, body mass, potential fecundity, and wing size, was measured in a 2 × 2 experimental design (two light treatments, two hosts). In comparison with high light (HL) conditions, a greater percentage of pupation and a longer period and less dynamic adult emerge was observed under low light (LL) conditions. The effect of host species on these parameters was not significant. In contrast, mass, fecundity and all of the studied wing parameters were higher in larvae that grazed on P. padus than on P. serotina. Similarly the same parameters were also higher on shrubs in HL as compared with those grown under LL conditions. In general, light conditions, rather than plant species, were more often and to a greater extent, responsible for differences in the observed parameters of insect development and potential fecundity.

Larval food affects oviposition preference, female fecundity and offspring survival in Yponomeuta evonymellus

1. Yponomeuta evonymellus is a monophagous moth that feeds on Prunus padus which is native to Europe. In recent years, larval feeding and egg clusters have also been observed on non‐native Prunus serotina plants; however, survival of larvae on this new host is very low.

Impact of Cameraria ohridella on Aesculus hippocastanum growth and long-term effects of trunk injection with pesticides

ABSTRACT Defoliation caused annually by Cameraria ohridella has a considerable impact on the general condition of horse chestnut trees. We investigated the consequences of tree endotherapy against this insect. Wood samples, leaves and insect specimens were collected ten years after the treatment (injection) with pesticides. Insect invasion was manifested in all investigated trees by distinct radial growth depression. Treatment resulted in a growth upturn, while non-treated trees maintained decreased growth. The overall foliage infestation level was lower in treated trees, but pupal mass and potential fecundity of insect females were not affected. Our study revealed a long-lasting, positive effect of endotherapy on trees’ appearance and growth.

Leaf-mining moths (Lepidoptera) of the Biedrusko military area in western Poland.

A bstract: Results o f the research on the leaf-mining moths (Lepidoptera) carried out in the Biedrusko military area in 1997-2008 are presented. The investigation showed great species richness o f the moths. 258 species have been recorded in the military area, which makes about 47% o f this fauna reported from Poland. 24 species are new to Greater Poland Voivodeship and several were reported from few, scattered localities. The most interesting species are described in details. New data on the biology o f Syncopacma ochrofasciella are also given. Key w ords: Lepidoptera, leaf-miners, W Poland, military area, diversity, faunistics, new records I n t r o d u c t i o n The military grounds in Biedrusko cover the area of about 7200 ha to the north of Poznan. The area has been used as military grounds for over a hundred years and thus it shows little anthropogenic transformation. The “Biedrusko” Protected Landscape Area has been established in 1995 to protect this naturally valuable area. Later this area has been included into the European Ecological Natura 2000 Network as a Special Area of Conservation (site code PLH300001).

Redescription of Argyresthia mirabiella Toll, 1947 (Lepidoptera: Argyresthiidae)

Moths of the family Argyresthiidae are widely distributed globally, as they include a few cosmopolitan species (Dugdale et al. 1999). So far the family has not been the subject of any monograph, and the systematic position of many species is unclear (Agassiz 1996). This applies also to Argyresthia mirabiella (Toll, 1947). Its type specimen with the microscopic slide of the female genitalia is deposited in the collection of S. Toll, at the Institute of Systematics and Animal Evolution, Polish Academy of Sciences (Krakow, Poland). Toll’s (1947) description of this species is limited to a few lines of text. The female genitalia are described in a few sentences concerning the antrum, ductus bursae, and signum. The drawing is schematic and greatly simplified. That brief description of A. mirabiella does not allow its proper identification. Here we provide a more detailed re-description and illustrations based on a re-examination of the type.

Redescription of Eidophasia tauricella Staudinger, 1880 (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) with first description of the female genitalia

Eidophasia tauricella Staudinger, 1880 is redescribed with a photo of the type specimen. The female genitalia are described for the first time.

Rhigognostis erysiphaea (Meyrick, 1938) comb. nov. (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae), with description of male and female genitalia

A new combination, Rhigognostis erysiphaea (Meyrick, 1938) is proposed. The species is re-described with a photo of the type specimen. The male and female genitalia are described and illustrated for the first time.

On the identity of Ypsolopha lonicerella Stöckl, 1922 (Lepidoptera, Ypsolophidae)

Ypsolopha lonicerella Stöckl, 1922 is shown to be a junior synonym of Y. leuconotella Snellen, 1884.

Redescription of Ypsolopha kotzschi (Toll, 1947) (Lepidoptera, Ypsolophidae)

Ypsolopha kotzschi (Toll, 1947) was described from a single male collected by H. Kotzsch and his wife in the Kuh-i-Mirabi Mountains (mountain range between Mashhad and Neyshabũr), NE Iran in 1938. The specimen was transported on cotton wool. This preparation resulted in its poor condition (antennae almost completely destroyed). No additional specimens have been reported since.