Geographical distribution of the tortricid moth Epinotia cedricida (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) within the natural and artificial ranges of the cedar trees Cedrus atlantica and C. libani

Abstract

New data concerning geographical distribution of the tortricid moth Epinotia cedricida Diakonoff, a significant insect pest affecting cedars in France, are presented. The species was discovered in Turkey, in two stands of Cedrus libani, where it causes considerable damage. The results of reciprocal crosses between Turkish specimens and specimens native to France and North Africa have confirmed the specific identity of the tortricid. On Cedrus atlantica, E. cedricida is present everywhere in Algeria. In Morocco, it has only been found in three stands of cedar in the Atlas Mountains. With regard to Europe, where the cedar is an introduced species, the tortricid moth has been reported only in France where it has colonized practically all the cedar stands of the Rhône valley, as far as Dijon towards the north, but is not yet present in those of the Garonne valley or the Poitiers area. Some of these data raise the question of the geographical origin of the strain (either north Africa or Turkey) which was introduced into France accidentally.