Lymantria mathura (pink gypsy moth)

In the Russian Far East, ship and port lighting are known to attract females of Lymantria dispar, Lymantria monacha and L. mathura. Reducing light in port areas during times of female flight activity can reduce the risk of egg masses being deposited on sea containers, other cargo and ships. Shipping companies and port operations are co-operating with the Russian Plant Quarantine Agency to reduce lighting based on flight periodicity data (USDA Forest Service, 2001).

Aerial applications of the bacterial insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis, have been applied to outbreak populations of L. mathura and L. dispar near the ports of Vostochny and Nakhodka, Russian Far East. Unfortunately these suppression efforts were not effective. Parasitoids known to attack L. mathura are potential candidates for classical biological control programmes, if this insect becomes established outside its geographic range.

In China, infestations of both L. dispar and L. mathura have been controlled in chestnut orchards by the application of pesticides to tree trunks (Zheng et al., 1994).

Based on coupled gas chromatography/electroantennogram detector responses and dose-response curves, the two compounds: (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene and its monoepoxide, Z,Z-(9S,10R)-9,10-epoxy-3,6-nonadecadiene 4a, have been identified from abdominal tip extracts of L. mathura female moths. Only one of the monoepoxide enantiomers (S,R) was active, according to single cell recordings. In field tests in Russia, both the (S,R)-monoepoxide and the racemate were active (Oliver et al., 1999). Traps baited with these compounds could be used to 'trap-out' recently established populations of L. mathura.

Pheromone traps, baited with the attractant pheromone from L. mathura, can be used to determine the presence of populations in areas suspected of having recent introductions. Moreover, pheromone traps baited with the gypsy moth attractant, (+)-disparlure, are known to attract L. mathura males (Odell et al., 1992). Pheromone traps can also be used to establish adult flight periods near ports, within the insect's geographic range. In this way, night lighting may be lowered to reduce the risk of oviposition on shipping crates and other items destined for export (USDA Forest Service, 2001). Light traps have been used in the forest and port areas of the Russian Far East to monitor adult flight, but have so far proven to be ineffective for this purpose (USDA Forest Service, 2001).Field-sampling procedures to estimate L. mathura egg mass densities and predict defoliation, are being developed in the Russian Far East through a USDA Forest Service/Russian Federal Forest Service co-operative programme (USDA Forest Service, 2001).Aerial and ground surveys can be used to detect infestations of L. mathura within its geographic range and assess the magnitude of outbreaks.

Approaches to the integrated pest management of L. mathura are similar to the closely related forest defoliators, L. dispar and L. monacha. However, the monitoring and direct control tactics for this insect still require some refinement. Within its geographic range, monitoring efforts should concentrate on the early detection of infestations using pheromone traps. When refined, egg mass surveys could be used to predict defoliation and population trends, and determine the need for direct control. Applications of B. thuringiensis against this insect have so far provided unacceptable results, whereas the improved formulations and application techniques offer opportunities for a better performance by this bacterium. One of the major concerns with this insect is its potential to be introduced into new locations, become established and cause widespread damage, as L. dispar has. Therefore techniques designed to reduce this risk are key aspects of an integrated pest management system for L. mathura. Examples of viable pest management tactics include lowering the light intensity during adult flight periods at ports where this insect is native. This will reduce the hazard of egg mass deposition on ships and cargo. Also inspections for egg masses and other life stages on products destined for export should be carried out, pheromone traps should be used to monitor sites where there is a high risk of introduction and newly detected infestations should be promptly eradicated.