Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Csóka, György (2003): Levélaknák és levélaknázók - Leaf mines and leaf miners. Hungarian Forest Research Institute. Erdészeti Turományos Intézet, Agroinform Kiadó, Budapest, 192 pp.

Although leaf miners are not counted as major agricultural or forestry pests, in case of outbreaks they can cause significant damage. They also support the general rule, that nearly any insect can become a pest, if its host is cultivated in large scale monocultures. A few selected examples for leaf miners as pests are given below.

Agromyzid flies can damage a wide variety of agricultural crops (bean, wheat, sugar beet, onion, cabbage, maize, asparagus, etc.). Several species not still occurring in Europe are on quarantine list. The increased intercontinental trade has increased the risk of their accidental introduction. In case of the introduction formation of mass outbreaks are helped by monoculture type agriculture and forestry.

Outbreaks of Tischeria ekebladella are recorded in South Hungary time by time. According to the literature, its mass appearance can cause 30-40% decrease of assimilating area.

Worth mentioning that there are many leaf miners among the insects accidentally introduced and successfully spread in Europe. In the early 70s of the 20th century mining moth, Arghyresthia thuiella (see page ) was introduced at 3 independent occasions to Western Europe. It was first recorded in Hungary in 1997. Causes esthetical and physiological damage on two popular ornamental plants (Thuja occidentalis and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana).

The "success story" of Cameraria ohridella is widely known in whole Europe. The species was described in 1986 from Macedonia. In the following less the two decades - with help of some human contribution - it invaded most of Europe. Now it can be found even on the British Islands. Its host is one of the most popular urban trees, horse chestnut. Mass appearance of he this miner causes early leaf abscission leading to serious esthetical damage and health deterioration. Interesting fact about this species, that its origin is not yet known.

Only recently established, but have very quickly become widespread and abundant two leaf mining lepidopterans (Parectopa robiniella - see page, Phyllonorycter robiniella - see page) of black locust, accidentally introduced to Europe. Their damage is reported from many thousands hectares per year. Mass infestation causes serious leaf loss. Its long term effects can only be guessed.

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