Interactions of Boxwood with its invasive pest Cydalima perspectalis
Résumé
The box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859), is a pest moth native from eastern Asia that was introduced to Europe via the boxwood trade. Its importation without its natural enemies, as well as its rapid expansion, lead to the colonization of the box tree moth over a large part of Europe in a very short time. This has led to the destruction of many boxwoods, in natural forests as well as in parks and gardens. Today, the various control methods that exist are either not sufficient, not always specific, or may cause resistance phenomena. Solutions therefore remain to be found to sustainably and naturally control the box tree moth in France. The Biocontrol Laboratory of the Villa Thuret Experimental Unit INRAE develops biocontrol strategies that respect the environment in order to control insect pests. The team proposes to study the future of natural boxwood in France. For this, lab experiments on feeding, survival and development time of boxwood moths were carried out on different boxwoods, attacked or not attacked in situ. In addition, the chemical composition of these boxwoods has been studied to try to identify differences in the molecules present. A relationship between some alkaloids and the resistance of boxwood in situ has thus been proposed. A potential solution could be proposed via the multiplication of resistant boxwood and/or the marketing of a repellent or larvicide product, with the aim of perpetuating the future of natural boxwood in France.