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Entomophaga maimaiga (Entomophthorales: Entomophtoraceae) in Balkan peninsula- an overview

Through a fifteen-year period, by the continuous monitoring to establish the distribution of Entomophaga maimaiga in Bulgaria, it is clear that the fungus already occurs in many localities among 22 State Forest and/or Hunting Enterprises where it was introduced or has spread by natural means. Consequently, as a result of the introduction of E. maimaiga in Bulgaria, almost no insecticides were used over the past 15 years and more than 10 million BGN (5 million Euros) were saved. E. maimaiga epizootics occurred in the neighbouring countries in 2005, 2010 and 2011, intensifying the spread further, so by the end of 2013 it expanded its range throughout the Balkan Peninsula. The fungus is now present, and to our best knowledge, it was established in Serbia, FYRMacedonia, Greece, European part of Turkey, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has clearly shown a dramatic impact on gypsy moth populations, possessing a capability to cease gypsy moth outbreaks and maintain pest population density at low levels under favourable climatic conditions.

entomopathogen; Lymantria dispar; introduction; biological control

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