The oak lace bug, Corythucha arcuata, is a pest insect of oaks. It is native to North America, but invasive in Europe, where it was first found in Italy in 2000. Today the insect has established itself in many European countries and continues to spread from east to west and from south to north. The thermophilic insect is favoured by rising temperatures and human transport routes, railways, trucks and cars enable the insect to spread even faster.
Large-scale infestations in oak forests cause considerable damage due to the sucking activity of nymphs and adult insects and 2-3 generations per year. Long-term negative effects on health and reproduction of oak trees are expected as there are no known natural enemies in Europe that could act as a biological pest control agent against the oak lace bug.
This scientific meeting brings together scientists from several European countries who will exchange current knowledge on the biology of the insect and discuss the potential of predators, parasitoids and pathogens for biological control.
