New tachinid parasitoids on pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) (Diptera: Tachinidae) in Bulgaria

Abstract

The tachinid parasitoids (Diptera: Tachinidae) of the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) were studied in 2019 and 2020 in the Eastern Rhodopes (Fotinovo, Kandilka and Sarnak vills.), the Western Rhodopes (Dobrostan vill.) and the Struma Valley (town of Sandanski). In total, 1193 larvae and pupae of T. pityocampa were collected in 40-50-year-old Pinus nigra plantations. They were transported and observed in laboratory conditions at 20-22 °С. Three parasitoids, Compsilura concinnata, Exorista (Exorista) fasciata and Phryxe vulgaris were reared from the host. In this study, E. fasciata was established for the first time in trophic association with T. pityocampa. In addition, P. vulgaris was confirmed as a parasitoid of the host. The mortality of the pine processionary moth caused by tachinids in different localities was 0.5-5.3%, with an average of 2.6% for the country.

Keywords

• Pine processionary moth
• Tachinidae
• <i>Exorista f