Allochthonous insect species on forest and ornamental woody plants in the Republic Srpska

Abstract

This paper presents the results of multiannual studies of harmful allochthonous entomofauna of forest and ornamental woody plants in the Republic Srpska. Altogether 17 introduced insects species present in this area were identified, and many of them are considered as invasive species, i.e. the species which aggressively occupy the new habitats and endanger the autochthonous species. Of the identified species only one is a zoophaga – Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), whereas the others are phytophagae. All of the phytophagous allochthonous species are significant pests of some forest and ornamental woody plant species, except for Acanthoscelides pallidipennis (Motsch.), which develops in amorpha (Amorpha fruticosa L.) seeds. Amorpha is an invasive woody weed plant originating from North America and it represents a great problem in poplar and willow plantations. A. pallidipennis is a potential agent for biological control of amorpha.