Dominant pests and pathogens of urban plantings in Kyiv: Species composition and prevalence

Abstract

Impact of pests and pathogens on trees, along with air pollution, are one of the most important factors that determine tree health in parks, squares, boulevards and streets of Kyiv. The purpose of the study was to monitor populations of dominant pests and foci of pathogens of tree ornamental plantings in Kyiv from 2020 to 2022. The objects of the study were horse chestnut leaf miner Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimic., leaf blotch miner moth Acrocercops brongniardella F., Linden gall mite Eriophyes tiliae Nal., and powdery mildew of Common Oak Erysiphe alphitoides Griffon & Maubl. U. Braun&S. Takam. Using the route method and the E.E. Geschele scale, population indicators were evaluated for Cameraria ohridella, Acrocercops brongniardella and Eriophyes tiliae. It is found that the number of these species is increasing. It is showed that these pests are common on tree species Aesculus hippocastanum L., Quercus robur L., and Tilia cordata Mill., in street and urban plantings under the intense influence of abiotic and anthropogenic factors. In 2021, compared to 2020, the prevalence of Cameraria ohridella increased by 7 times, the distribution of Acrocercops brongniardella ranged from 76-78%, and powdery mildew damage to Common Oak, on average, is 3.41. According to the results of the study, it is identified that the populations of Acrocercops brongniardella and Eriophyes tiliae are in a stable condition and do not have substantial deviations by year, while the invasive species Cameraria ohridella is characterised by a substantial increase in prevalence and abundance, which means that it causes an intense weakening and decrease in the decorative effect of Chestnut in the city’s street plantings. Annual intensive powdery mildew Erysiphe alphitoides damage was noted at young ordinary plantings of Common Oak along the main roads of the metropolis. The potential reproduction opportunities of phytophagous insect populations are analysed. In practice, the obtained results can be used for pest management and further monitoring of tree health in street and urban plantings in Kyiv