NEW DATA ON THE SOUTHEASTERN BORDER OF THE INVASIVE RANGE OF <i>AGRILUS PLANIPENNIS</i> (COLEOPTERA: BUPRESTIDAE) IN THE EUROPEAN PART OF RUSSIA

Abstract

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis , which is native to East Asia, is a highly destructive pest of ash trees ( Fraxinus sp.) in European Russia and North America. This quarantine species is currently spreading in the European part of Russia and in the east of Ukraine. The purpose of this study is to determine the distribution of the species in the south-east of the main part of the invasive range. The material is collected in the Tambov, Voronezh and Volgograd regions of the European part of Russia in 2021. The pest has spread to the central areas of the Tambov region, has almost completely populated the Voronezh region and has penetrated into the north-western part of the Volgograd region. Findings of Agrilus planipennis have shown that the invader continues to spread to the southeast of the European part of Russia. Agrilus planipennis is already located in the immediate vicinity of the regions of the European part of Russia, in which the common ash occupies the largest share in the forest fund. Further expansion will cause significant ecological and economic damage.