Parasitoid Complex and New Host Plants of the Gypsy Moth, Lymantria dispar L. in the Lakes District, Turkey

The present study determined egg, larval and pupal parasitoids of the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), which is an important forest pest in Turkey. High populations of the gypsy moth have been observed recently in oak forests and coniferous forests in the Lakes District of Turkey. Pinus brutia Ten and Cedrus libani A. Rich are reported for the 1st time in the world as host plants of L. dispar. Its parasitoid complex and impact were analyzed in a 2-years study. In larval and pupal stages of the pest, the tachinids Exorista segregata (Rond.), Compsilura concinnata Meigen, Drino inconspicua Meigen and Pales pavida Meigen, the chalcid Brachymeria intermedia (Nees), the torymid Monodontomerus aereus Walk. The braconid Apanteles xanthostigma (Haliday) and the egg parasitoids Ooencrytus kuvanae (Howard) (Hym. Encyrtidae), Anastatus disparis Rusch and Anastatus bifasciatus (Fonsc.) (Hym: Eupelmidae) were recorded. O. kuvanae had the greatest impact on L. dispar populations. A. xanthostigma is a new record for Turkey and also a new record for the world as a parasitoid of L. dispar.