Control strategiesagainstinvasive pestBox Tree Moth-Cydalima perspectalisin Georgia

The Box Tree Moth (BTM)-Cydalima perspectalis(Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera; Crambidae)  was introduce  2012in Georgia   and in the next year it began to defoliateBuxusspp in large quantities. Today the situation is quite alarming in thatBTM damageBuxus colchica,whichis endemic species ofCaucasian flora and  threatened by habitat  loss.  The  larvae feedon leaves and shoots,  caused serious damages, defoliating box trees, causing   economic, social and environment problems. Thepest  have 2 generations  in Georgia. 2017-2018,  WitaTrap® Funnel trap system,  with  pheromone  CYDAWIT®   were used for the monitoring and controlof BTM and in total approximately  93000  (2017) and 74000  (2018)  adult were   captured. Biological pesticides based on  entomopathogenic bacteria,Bacillusthuringiensisvar. kurstaki , sold as Lepidocid CK-M (Georgian Production)andDiPel®against L2-L5instarslarvaewere used. Efficiencies achieve 60,6-88,6% respectively.More then 350 insect were dissected and studied. Only  findingexemplars in August, 2017 were observed  develop fungalsymptoms  on the body of adults  insects in natural habitats of boxwood forest. To  isolation pathogens on different artificial media (SDAY, PDA), of entomopathogenic fungusBeauveria bassianawereidentified.