Yesterday we reported on the entry ban in the forest within Nadleśnictwo Chocianów. What is the situation in Nadleśnictwo Bolesławiec?
An entry ban has also been announced in three forest districts – Daniel, Krępnica and Bukowy Las. Why? Spraying against the pine lappet moth.
The entry ban will remain in force until the end of the month.
Nadleśnictwo Kalicz on the pine lappet moth:
It is a moth from the lappet moth family, reaching a size of up to 9 cm. It is characterized by highly variable coloration: from whitish-gray, through shades of gray, to brown. It exhibits sexual dimorphism, with the female being larger than the male. It feeds mainly on Scots pine. It most often appears in older stands with low density, growing in poorer habitats.
The flight period begins at the turn of July and August and may last until the end of August. After hatching, females filled with eggs fly reluctantly, which is why they are found sitting on tree trunks. The flight takes place from the evening hours until late at night. After fertilization, the female lays eggs in groups of several dozen on thin, needleless branches, most often on the trunk in the lower part of the bole, as well as on needles and in the undergrowth. Over a period of 10 days, she lays approximately 200 eggs. From mid-August, the first caterpillars hatch; initially they consume the eggshell, and then move into the tree crowns, where they gnaw the edges of the needles. As the caterpillar grows, feeding intensity increases, and toward the end of development the caterpillars consume entire needles down to the sheaths. Then, in mid-October, the caterpillars descend into the forest litter to overwinter. In spring, they resume feeding. Pupation takes place from the end of May to the beginning of June in tree crowns and on the trunk, within a soft beige cocoon.
The greatest damage is caused by the caterpillars through intensive feeding on pine needles. They can live on a single tree for several months, causing it to systematically lose its assimilation apparatus. Weakened trees are susceptible to attacks by other harmful insects. Individuals infested by several insect species die within a short time.