Distribution of the entomopathogenic fungusEntomophaga maimaiga(Entomophthorales:Entomophthoraceae) at the northern edge of its range in Europe

The gypsy mothLymantria disparis a serious economic pest in European broadleaf forests. However, the entomopathogenic fungusEntomophaga maimaiga, which has a great potential to regulate gypsy moth numbers, has recently spread in the Central and Eastern European area of the moth's range. In the current study, 39 plots in oak forests in the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic were monitored forE. maimaigafrom 2014 to 2016. These plots were located along the northern edge of theE. maimaigarange where gypsy moth outbreaks have occurred in the past. The fungus was detected in 16 of the 39 plots. The results thus confirm thatE. maimaigais quite widespread along the northern edge of its range in Europe and can be considered to be established in that area.