New data on Ovalisia (Palmar) festiva (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and its natural enemies reported from Bulgaria

Abstract

In the last decade the cypress jewel beetle Ovalisia festiva (Linnaeus, 1767) has become a real threat in many European countries. Although it was reported from Bulgaria long ago, there is no data on its current status. The aim of this study is to present new data on cypress jewel beetle’s distribution, damage and natural enemies in the country. The research was conducted in the period 2016-2019, with 106 localities on the territory of Bulgaria examined. As a result of the current study 16 localities new for this species were found. Our rearings identified adults of the parasitoid Metacolus unifasciatus Forster, 1856 (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) and the parasitizing mites belonging to genus Pyemotes. Amerling, 1861 (Acarina: Pyemotidae). The parasitoid-host association of M. unifasciatus with O. festiva is considered here a new biological relationship, not previously recorded for these species. Currently the cypress jewel beetle O. festiva is widely distributed in Bulgaria and can be regarded as an important pest in landscaping.