Biological Systems: Theory and Innovation

Phenological plasticity of Cydalima perspectalis and an assessment of the effectiveness of biological control methods in urbanised ecosystems

Lesia Bondareva, Alla Hnatiuk, Nataliia Kushnir, Lyudmila Nemerytska, Inna Zhuravska
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Abstract

This study was conducted to develop an effective system for protecting boxwood against the invasive pest Cydalima perspectalis in the urban ecosystems of Ukraine. The work was based on field observations and laboratory analyses conducted in 2022-2023 at the Botanical Garden of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, the M.M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden, as well as in urban green spaces of Kyiv, including the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park and city squares. It was established that under the conditions of Kyiv, the pest forms two complete generations per season and a third generation of caterpillars that enter diapause and overwinter. Pheromone monitoring revealed two peaks of adult flight: in the first ten-day period of July and the first-second ten-day periods of August. A strong statistically significant inverse (negative) relationship (R² = 0.96) was identified between the daily temperature and the duration of the caterpillar stage. Mild winters ensured the survival of more than 70% of overwintering caterpillars. The evaluation of control methods showed that a biopreparation based on Bacillus thuringiensis achieved an efficiency of 96 ± 1.2% against early instar caterpillars (L1-L3). In comparison, the introduction of Trichogramma ensured parasitism of 71.5 ± 2.6% of eggs. In contrast, mechanical methods were significantly less effective (45.0 ± 3.9%). Based on the obtained data, a phenologically grounded treatment calendar and differentiated protection schemes for botanical gardens and urban squares were developed, allowing the minimisation of environmental risks and economic costs. The results form the basis for practical recommendations aimed at preserving boxwood plantings and minimising the pest’s impact on biodiversity in Ukraine

Keywords

green spaces; Cydalima perspectalis; defoliation; pheromone monitoring; Bacillus thuringiensis; environmental safety

Suggested citation
Bondareva, L., Hnatiuk, А., Kushnir, N., Nemerytska, L., & Zhuravska, I. (2026). Phenological plasticity of Cydalima perspectalis and an assessment of the effectiveness of biological control methods in urbanised ecosystems. Biological Systems: Theory and Innovation, 17(2), 48-62. https://doi.org/10.31548/biologiya/2.2026.48
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