The first record of Beauveria bassiana on box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis in Iran

The box tree moth Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) is an invasive pest causing severe damage to box trees (Buxus spp.). It is native to Japan, Korea and China, but established populations have been recorded in a number of locations across Europe since 2007 and yet the spread of the insect is continuing. The pest was reported in northern Iran in 2016. The damage caused by the larvae of this pest, which often leads to a complete defoliation of the trees, necessitates a serious action to control it. In the present study, in the course of forest survey in the distribution areas of this pest in Guilan province, larvae that were infected with fungal mycelium were observed, which ultimately led to the isolation and identification of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin species. So far, B. bassiana has been reported as an entomopathogenic fungus, especially lepidoptera larvae in many countries, but this is the first report of the natural occurrence of this pathogenic fungus on the box tree moth. Since the biocontrol of this pest by fungal pathogens can be used as an appropriate alternative or at least a supplement to chemical pesticides, further researches on the efficacy of this entomopathogenic fungus against C. perspectalis is in progress.