First Report of the Winter Moth Operophtera brumata on Quercus canariensis and Q. afares in North West of Tunisia

Abstract

Operophtera brumata is a newly detected moth in Tunisia. It is considered the most important leaffeeding pest infesting fruit trees and deciduous forests in northern Europe. A recent outbreak of the winter moths was observed between 2009 and 2014 in oak forest in the North West of Tunisia with a peak density in 2010-2011. O. brumata was observed on totally defoliated Quercus canariensis and Q. afares. In this paper, we present a first report of this pest.

Keywords

• North West of Tunisia
• Operophtera brumata
• Quercus afares
• Quercus canariensis