Preliminary results of European budworm Choristoneura murinana (Hubner) impact on Greek fir radial growth at Mts Parnassus and Giona

During the spring of 2020, Choristoneum murinana (Hubner) otherwise European Fir Budworm (EFB) was recorded on Abies cephalonica near the villages of Kaloskopi and Agoriani in Central Greece at the mountains Giona and Parnassus respectively. To our knowledge, the occurrence of the particular pest on the specific mountains has not been described yet. We found that EFB mostly prefers Abies cephalonica and less .Ittniperus oxycedrous in sunny areas and/or near the country roads. Across the study area, local severe infestations of scale 2,3 and 5, were observed. In many cases the infestation was observed in adult fir individuals. Defoliations and severe outbreaks, which are presumably incurred by EFB were also observed by local people (beekeepers, foresters, herb collectors) in the past. Our laboratories field measurements and the analysis of the Singular Spectrum analysis trendlines revealed growth decline, not connected with climatic parameters but probably associated with observed defoliations by the EFB.

Automated summary

During the spring of 2020, the presence of European Fir Budworm (EFB) was recorded on Abies cephalonica trees near the villages of Kaloskopi and Agoriani in Central Greece. This is the first description of this particular pest in these specific mountain regions. The study found that EFB prefers sunny areas and/or areas near country roads where Abies cephalonica and Ittniperus oxycedrous grow. Severe infestations of scale 2, 3, and 5 were observed in the study area, with adult fir trees being the most affected. Local people have also noticed defoliations and outbreaks caused by EFB in the past. Laboratory measurements and trendline analysis suggest a decline in growth associated with EFB-induced defoliations.