Leaf miners of poplar (Populus L.) in green spaces of Pavlodar region

Abstract

The article comprehensively examines the leaf miners of poplar (Populus L.) in the green spaces of Pavlodar region. Leaf miners are the larvae of some moths, beetles, flies, and sawflies that feed on the epidermal layers of plant leaves. Many of them are pests of forestry, cultural and commercial horticulture, agriculture in general, etc. The research was conducted in the Pavlodar region during the 2019-2022 growing season, in the cities of Pavlodar, Ekibastuz, Aksu, as well as in the villages of Zhelezinka, Koktobe, and Aktogay. The damaged leaves were collected in natural and artificial plantings – parks and gardens, squares, and city streets. In the period 2019-2022, about 5,000 poplar leaves were examined in the Pavlodar region. During the study, 4 species of poplar miners belonging to the Nepticulidae and Gracillariidae families were identified in the region. They are divided into the following 3 genera: Stigmella Schrank 1802, Phyllonorycter Hubner 1822, and Phyllocnistis Zeller 1848. Today, the impact of organisms belonging to the association of miners poses a global threat to the economy and the environment.