I am interested in documented cases where defoliation by European giypsy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) has led to die-back of oak on larger area (preferrably Europe). There is an on-going debate whether weakened oak forests need help by combating mass infestations of gipsy moth to avoid complete defoliation. Often a combination of different stress factors with the relatively late defoliation by gipsy moth may lead to death of individual oaks the followong year because necessary resources to develop new leaves are depleted. Forest owners fear the loss of old oaks on larger scale in extreme years like 2018 and argue for combating caterpillars of gipsy moth which may also affect non-target organisms. But are these fears reasonable? How big is the impact of defoliation on oak or other tree species?
I know you preferred documented cases in Europe, but here is a really good review for the Eastern U.S. published in the journal "Forest Science": https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/pubs/jrnl/1999/ne_1999_davidson_001.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi83Y6J-4fgAhVE2oMKHWtCC3IQFjAAegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw2sedpybQNd6Y83vJVqfI0w
In northern Iran, more than 100 hectares of forests were damaged by
European gipsy moth.
Thank you both!
@Kiomars: is there a true dieback of old oaks due to the gipsy moth defoliation? Do you have more information?
Daniel Kraus : that was reported in oak dominant forests in the Zagros mountains that cause to defoliation of individual oak trees. Also I was seen the same events in Quercus petraea stands in Arasbaran Forests.
Dear Daniel, here you can find a paper from Croatia Article Spruce, Fir and Pine Bark Beetle Outbreak Development and Gy...
Best regards, Stefanie
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