© Benaki Phytopathological Institute
Strachinis
et al.
70
A
climate model applied by Nacambo
et
al.
(2014) suggests that
C. perspectalis
is like-
ly to continue its spread across Europe, ex-
cept for Northern Fenno-Scandinavia, North-
ern Scotland and high mountain regions and
become a pest more likely in Southern and
Central Europe where the moth is able to
complete at least two generations per year;
restriction of distribution of the species in the
northern range is expected due to the limita-
tion in degree-days above the temperature
threshold to complete a generation whereas
in the southern zone due to the absence of a
cold period necessary to resume diapause.
Investigation of effective preventive and
management methods is necessary.
Buxus
plants
importation in European countries,
such as the Netherlands, Germany and Ita-
ly,
has largely increased in the recent years,
mainly from China (EPPO, 2012).
The trade
of infested box trees may still be the most
important dissemination pathway as detec-
tion of early larval stages or eggs is difficult
(Leuthardt
et al
., 2010). Campaigns to com-
municate the risk of displacing eggs, larvae
and pupae when moving infested box trees
will contribute in public awareness and slow
down the dispersal of
C. perspectalis
.
Control of the pest in East Asia, where it
was primarily studied until its invasion in Eu-
rope, embraces mainly biological control by
nematodes (Choo
et al.,
1991; Lee
et al
., 1996),
mating disruption (Kawazu
et al.,
2007) and
chemical control (Zhou
et al.,
2005). Natu-
ral enemies of the pest include polypha-
gous parasitoids (Nacambo
et al.
, 2014) and
birds exhibiting low predation, probably
due to the high levels of toxic alkaloids se-
questered by its larvae (Leuthardt and Baur,
2013). Investigation on specific parasitoids
of the moth in the places of its origin in Asia
should be envisaged in the perspective of
their use in a classical biological control pro-
gramme which would offer a long-term con-
trol option in natural habitats of boxes.
Use of pheromones for monitoring did
not give satisfactory results in field trials in
Europe (Van den Straten and Muus, 2010;
pers. comm. F. Griepink). Chemical control
with contact insecticides has been proved
very effective but may harm beneficial ar-
thropods using the box trees for shelters,
such as arachnids. Insecticides working by in-
gestions are also very effective, although the
lag until death of all larvae is usually longer.
Biopesticides based on
Bacillus thuringiensis
are usually the preferred option on ornamen-
tal box trees because of their limited impact
on the environment (Plantwise Knowledge
Bank, 2015). Recent research indicated the
susceptibility of
C. perspectalis
larvae to bacu-
lovirus
Anagrapha falcifera
nucleopolyhedro-
virus (AnfaNPV) as a potential control agent
for the pest (Rose
et al.,
2013). Physical con-
trol by cutting the infested material, if appli-
cable, may also be effective (Korycinska and
Eyre, 2011). Nevertheless, since introduction
of alien arthropods in Europe mainly occurs
via
ornamental plant trade (Rabitsch, 2010), a
more efficient inspection of the condition of
traded goods is necessary in order to prevent
the pest’s further spreading (Bella, 2013).
WearegratefultoMrTheodosisMamais,agron-
omist, for the communication of the informa-
tion on the first evidence for the presence of the
pest in northern Greece. We are very thankful
to Mr Dimitris T. Kaloutsikos, Mr Savvas Vassil-
iadis, Mrs Ersi Augustidou and Mrs Lia Naki for
providing us their photos and data and the
permission to use them in this document. We
would also like to thank Mr Agis Paliouras for
his assistance on species identification and of
course Dr Apostolos Trichas (NHMC, University
of Crete) for his help and advice. In addition, we
would like to thank Mrs Sofia Lymperopoulou,
technical assistant in the Laboratory of Weed
Science at Benaki Phytopathological Institute,
for identifying the samples of the host species
Buxus sempervirens.
Literature Cited
Bella, S. 2013. The box tree moth
Cydalima perspec-
talis
(Walker, 1859) continues to spread in south-
ern Europe: new records for Italy (Lepidoptera
Pyraloidea Crambidae).
Redia, XCVI
, 2013: 51-55.
Beshkov, S., Abadjiev, S. and Dimitrov, D., 2015.
Cy-
dalima perspectalis
(Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera:
