hrvatski

Utjecaj agroekoloških uvjeta na varijabilnost i spolni dimorfizam šimširovog moljca Cydalima perspectalis

Box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis, Walker) is an invasive species that causes great damage to plants of the genus Buxus. The pest spreads rapidly, has high reproductive potential and good adaptability. The aim of this study was to determine the morphological variability of C. perspectalis from Croatia and to evaluate its invasive character using geometric morphometric methods. An inter-sites analysis was performed, and the dataset was divided by geographic area, with intraspecific variation detected independently between northern and southern populations. Results show wing shape influenced by agroecological factors (southern/coastal and northern/continental populations), with forewings found to be more plastic than hindwings. Northern populations have broader wings (with a shift in landmark 6 and landmark 4). Southern populations have more elongated wings with a shift in landmarks 2 and 3 at the base of the wing and landmark 6. In terms of sexual differentiation, multivariate regression of wing shape on centroid size revealed minimal differences between male and female forewings, yet female wing shapes were more variable and covered a large percentage of the shape space compared to males where variation was minimal. Knowledge of C. perspectalis wing characteristics is of great importance in assessing dispersal, especially given their high invasive potential.

šimširov moljac, krila, geometrijska morfometrija, invazivnost

nije evidentirano