The Range Expansion of Ovalisia festiva (Linnaeus, 1767) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Eastern Europe and Its Damaging Potential for Cupressaceae

Abstract

Ovalisia festiva (Linnaeus, 1767), previously considered a very rare and localised (accidental) species in Eastern Europe (Hungary, Romania), is recorded as a real pest for Cupressaceae in the Romanian Plain − the Easternmost site, out of the species’ previously known range. In comparison with the annual life cycle of the species in the Mediterranean region, in Romania the adults emerged between the second and the eighth year after the trees were planted, causing an attack of over 50% per cultivar. New data on intraspecific variability, distribution, and duration of the life cycle of this jewel beetle in Romania are presented.