Introduction

The superfamily Pyraloidea is composed of about 16,000 described species worldwide (HEPPNER, 1991) with 914 species recorded from Europe (NUSS et al.,2004). On the Maltese Islands around 140 species have been recorded so far with the latest addition being Bocchoris bleusei (Oberthür, 1887) (CATANIA, 2018)

Material

MALTA: 1 1, Zurrieq, 5-V-2018, at light, leg. J. Agius.

Distribution

The genus Cydalima Lederer, 1863 is represented by 9 species all native to Asia. Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) is native to India, China, Korea, Japan and the Russian Far East. It was recorded for the first time in Europe from Germany during 2006. Following this discovery, it was further recorded in Switzerland and the Netherlands during 2007 (MALLY & NUSS, 2010). In 2008, it was recorded from Great Britain, France and Austria (KENIS et al., 2013) and by 2018 it has spread throughout Europe, from Spain to Turkey and Russia.

Imagen 1
Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859), MALTA, Zurrieq.

Discussion

In normal jargon C. perspectalis is referred to as the Box Tree Moth as the larvae are notorious pests of Box trees from the genus Buxus. This species is so invasive on Buxus trees that certain countries such as the United Kingdom have developed an online recording scheme to monitor its distribution (available from https://www.ebts.org/2016/05/box-tree-moths-plague). One of the major problems with eradicating this species is that the larvae are toxic to most European predators hence C. perspectalis cannot be easily controlled. Observed larval parasitism was less than 1% and represented by a single tachinid parasitoid, Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata (Walker, 1853) while no egg or pupal parasitoids were found (KENIS et al., 2013). However, pheromone traps and insecticides are commonly used in Buxus infested areas to control the invasion. In Malta, several species of alien organisms have been established during the last decade and the Lepidoptera is no exception. Even though in Malta there are no native Buxus trees, it is in actual fact a common imported ornamental genera so there is a high possibility that this species establishes itself in Malta as well. Considering that C. perspectalis is not a strong flier, it is being assumed that the presence of this species in Malta is the result of Buxus importation. In fact, it was confirmed that a garden centre in Qormi had just imported fresh Box trees whilst another garden centre at Burmarrad confirmed that during the week starting 14th May 2018 they were expecting fresh consignments. Worst still, it has been noted that in Georgia, apart from Buxus tress, C. perspectalis attacks Rubus sp. as well (MATSIAKH, 2016). In Malta Rubus ulmifolius Schott 1818 is native and quite widespread so it will not come as a surprise if more specimens of C. perspectalis are recorded in the future.

With a wingspan of 42mm, C. perspectalis qualifies as the largest Pyraloidea species recorded from the Maltese Islands so far. The species is new to the Maltese lepidopterofauna. I propose the Maltese name Sidalima tal-Buxus, after its hostplant.

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to Dr. Antonio Vives for the Spanish abstract.

References

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