Effectiveness of pesticide control of a quarantine pest Hyphantria cunea Drury
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31210/spi2025.28.04.06Keywords:
American white butterfly, Hyphantria cunea Drury, quarantine organisms, fodder plants, phytosanitary monitoring, insecticidal protectionAbstract
The fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea Drury) is an invasive moth species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae) that poses a significant threat to forest and fruit plantations in Ukraine. First recorded in 1952 in the Zakarpattia region, it has gradually expanded its range and established stable populations throughout the country. The key factors determining its distribution include thermal conditions, photoperiodic responses, and the availability of host plants such as Acer negundo L., Morus alba L., and Malus domestica Borkh. Due to its wide polyphagy, synanthropy, and high adaptive capacity, H. cunea can cause severe defoliation of deciduous trees under favorable conditions, resulting in decreased orchard productivity, loss of ornamental value, and even tree death. During 2022–2024, phytosanitary monitoring was conducted in the Poltava region to assess the effectiveness of modern insecticides in controlling pest density. The research targeted larvae of various developmental stages (L1–L4) feeding on pome fruit crops. The tested insecticides included Bi-58 New (reference), Karate Zeon, Aktara, and the combined product Engeo. Efficacy was evaluated on days 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 after treatment. The highest biological activity was demonstrated by Engeo (247 g/L SC), which provided up to 100 % mortality of early-instar larvae (L1–L2) by day 5 and late-instar larvae (L3–L4) by day 10. Karate Zeon and Aktara were also highly effective (up to 98–99 %) but exhibited a slower mode of action, while Bi-58 New showed lower results (81–94 %). The findings confirm the high harmfulness and adaptability of H. cunea to agroclimatic conditions of the Poltava region. The combined insecticide Engeo proved to be the most effective in regulating pest density. The results highlight the necessity to improve phytosanitary monitoring systems and develop integrated pest management strategies combining chemical, biological, and agrotechnical methods to prevent further naturalization and economic damage caused by this quarantine pest in Ukrainian agroecosystems.
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