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Turkish Journal of Zoology

Author ORCID Identifier

Gergana ZAEMDZHIKOVA: 0000-0002-0694-4331

MD Habibur RAHMAN SALMAN: 0000-0002-6709-8810

DOI

10.55730/1300-0179.3209

Abstract

The pine processionary moth (PPM), Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis et Schiffermuller), is a significant pest affecting conifer forests in the Mediterranean region. This study investigated the diapause mechanisms and survival strategies of PPM in summer and winter feeding populations in Bulgaria. The research was conducted from February to April 2021 at five pine plantation sites known for T. pityocampa activity in southwest Bulgaria. Herein, 1224 specimens were collected across different developmental stages. The sampled populations included those exhibiting typical winter feeding as well as atypical summer feeding. Morphological assessments and monitoring of the development of the individuals were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. The development of the individuals during the dormant period, duration of the prepupal and pupal periods, and incidence of prolonged diapause were analyzed. Mortality rates among the development stages varied significantly between the summer and winter populations, with the winter populations showing a higher percentage of emerged adults and lower mortality rates. The dynamics of cocoon spinning, pupation, and adult emergence highlighted distinct phenological patterns between the populations, influenced mainly by the altitude of the habitats. Although only one year was considered, the prolonged diapause incidence was notably higher in the summer populations, with significant implications for population dynamics and pest management. The findings underscored the adaptive significance of diapause in T. pityocampa, reflecting a complex interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental cues. This study enhances our understanding of the synchronization mechanisms of PPM’s life cycle and offers insights into managing its impact under changing climatic conditions.

Keywords

Summer and winter feeding population, prepupal and pupal period, diapause, prolonged diapause

First Page

12

Last Page

24

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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