A Review of biology of Box tree moth in forests of northern Iran

The box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859), is one of the major destructive pests that feed on the leaves, shoots, and bark of a tree branch of various Buxus species. In the course of this survey, the life cycle, life span, number of larval stages, overwintering, and natural enemies of the box tree moth was studied in Hyrcanian forests (northern Iran). The laboratory experiments were carried out at a temperature of 25±1ºC, 70±10% relative humidity, and a photo phase 16 light: 8 dark hours. The average duration of eggs, larvae, pre-pupae, pupae, as well as females and males longevity were 5.09±0.04, 23.15±0.17, 1.04±0.02, 7.80±0.05, 15.31±0.73 and 12.92 ± 0.71 days, respectively. As an important pest newly introduced in northern Iran, the Box tree moth completes three generations per year. The results of this study may be useful for improving pest management strategies.