Biological invasion in terrestrial ecosystems of subtropics of Russian federation

Natalia Karpun, Yevgenia Ignatova, Yelena Mikhailova

Abstract: In recent decades, as a result of active uncontrolled of ornamental woody plants import from abroad, a threat that new pests and diseases might penetrate to Russian Black Sea coast appeared, which led to the extent of an environmental problem. The given paper provides information about the new species detected on fruit, flower and ornamental crops in Sochi (Russia) in the period from 1995 to 2013, which has not been earlier recorded in the region. Among the pests Plurivorous species of Ceratitis capitata Wied. mostly represents danger for fruit plantations and Frankliniella occidentalis Perg. – for flower crops. In 2013, the massive shrinkage of boxwood was noted, which was caused by damage from caterpillars Cydalima perspectalis Walker. This species appeared in the region presumably in 2011 – 2012. The five following species of powdery mildews fungi were recorded for the first time in the study area: Erysiphe azalea (U. Braun) U. Braun & S. Takam. on leaves of Rhododendron luteum Sweet, E. betae (Vaňha) Weltzien – on leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla Ser., E. syringae, Schwein. – on leaves of Syringa vulgaris L., E. tortilis (Wallr.) Link – on leaves of Cornus sp. Golovinomyces sparsus (A. Braun) V. P. Heluta – on leaves of Viburnum opulus L. Because of the emergence of new pests and diseases there is a tendency of expansion of the range of host plants for existing species in the region.

Keywords: Black Sea coast of Russia; Cydalima perspectalis; invasion; pathogens; pests; terrestrial ecosystems

Date published: 2017-08-02