Biological Systems: Theory and Innovation

Current state of research into leaf-miner moths (Gracillariidae Stainton, 1854) and their feeding habits in relation to tree plantations in Kyiv

Mykola Lisovyy, Anton Dulin, Roman Tsurkan
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Abstract

The most common plant-feeding insects in the dendrofauna of populated areas, which are prone to mass reproduction, are leaf-miner moths (Gracillariidae Stainton, 1854). The current state, distribution, and reproduction of leaf-miner moths are poorly understood. The purpose of the study was to identify and evaluate species of phytophagous leaf-miner moths in the woody plants of Kyiv. The study of the biodiversity of leaf-miner moths was conducted during 2023-2025 in the city of Kyiv: botanical gardens, parks, squares, streets with woody plants. The presence of leaf-miner moths was assessed visually by the presence of blotches on tree leaves. For this purpose, 100 leaves were collected from the control tree and taken to the laboratory to determine and identify the moth species. The species affiliation of leaf-miner moths was estimated using entomofauna determinants. The occurrence index (Pi) and the dominance index (Di) were used to characterise the leaf-miner moth species complex. The study identified and described 20 species of leaf-miner moths of the family Gracillariidae (Lepidoptera), which are trophically associated with more than 49 species of host tree plants. These were mostly oligophages. Analysis of the settlement of various species of leaf-miner moth on woody plants in Kyiv showed the following: the highest level of available blotches on the leaves of the plants under study was noted in botanical gardens – 95% of 20 species of leaf-miner moths and parks – 75%. The presence of blotches on the leaves of the studied street trees was observed in 40% of the total number of leaf-miner moth species assessed. According to the indices of occurrence and dominance, it was determined that in the studied locations of woody plants in Kyiv, the dominant ones were Cameraria ohridella (95.12%), Phyllonorycter populifoliella (83.24%) and Gracillaria syringella (53.23%). The results of the study were of scientific value for investigating the biocoenotic relationships between phytophages and food plants in urban phytocoenoses and of practical importance for the selection of tree species resistant to blotching phytophages used in urban landscaping

Keywords

phytophage; invasive species; monitoring; occurrence index; host plants; abundance

Suggested citation
Lisovyy, M., Dulin, A., & Tsurkan, R. (2026). Current state of research into leaf-miner moths (Gracillariidae Stainton, 1854) and their feeding habits in relation to tree plantations in Kyiv. Biological Systems: Theory and Innovation, 17(1), 25-35. https://doi.org/10.31548/biologiya/1.2026.25
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