This project will focus on the oak lace bug (OLB) Corythucha arcuata (Heteroptera: Tingidae) an invasive Hemipteran insect introduced from its native range in N. America into Europe, and which was first detected in Europe in Italy in 2000 (Bernardinelli & Zandigiacomo, 2000).

Since its accidental introduction it has spread rapidly over a wide geographical area and is now found in over a dozen other European countries. In some countries, such as Hungary and Croatia its population has reached substantial levels where there is now serious concern that the pest may have significant impacts on oak health, as well as potentially increase the susceptibility of oaks to other pests and diseases.

OLBIE – Work packages

The project comprises six work packages with inter-related objectives that will address key questions and gaps in the knowledge of the oak lace bug (Corythucha arcuata) particularly in relation to the biology, dispersal, control and management options.

Work package 1: Project Management and Co-ordination (Lead: FR)

Key objectives

• Overall project management and co-ordination of delivery and results reporting.
• Establish website
• Communication strategy

Work package 2: Review evidence of impacts (Lead:

Key objectives

• Impacts on growth and development – linked to defoliation/canopy loss/% canopy affected. Assessment of all tree age classes, are young trees susceptible to mortality? Dendrochronology studies?
• How is acorn production (numbers and size)/germination rates/seedling survival affected?
• Interactions with other abiotic/biotic factors (probably only detectable over longer periods of time) – is there increased susceptibility following drought or defoliation by other insects, and fungi? Consider also cumulative impacts of drought + defoliators (e.g. oak processionary moth or gypsy moth) + Corythucha arcuata + wood borers + oak mildew.
• Do impacts differ between forest and urban settings?
• What insect pest population levels cause what levels of damage? How quickly do populations build up to these levels once established?
• Why are there apparent differences in the impacts between Italy/Switzerland where there appear to be no accounts of serious damage/impacts and the seemingly heavily affected areas in Hungary/Croatia?
• Identify and prioritise research and evidence needs

Work package 3: Prevention and detection (Lead: BFW, Austria)

Key objectives

• Developing surveying techniques/protocols to detect Corythucha arcuata as early as possible in new areas
• Reviewing, evaluating and testing early detection methods/trapping techniques
• Evaluation of potential pathways
• Is it possible to monitor spread in a cost-effective manner?
• Which control approaches are feasible in response to early detection?

Work package 4: Natural and human-mediated spread (Lead: FR)

Key objectives

• What are the natural rates of spread?
• What spread is there with commodities, timber, firewood, plant trade, – how did arcuata get introduced into Europe? Can it be introduced again at other sites?  How is it being spread within Europe?
• Any evidence of hitch-hiking?
• Consider climate effects on rates of spread and numbers of potential generations per year.

Work package 5: Pest management (Lead:

Key objectives

• Chemical control options? Methods of application? Consider approaches in urban and forest settings.
• Biological control options? What are the predators/parasitoids associated with Corythucha arcuata in its native range?  Is it possible to augment existing European predator/parasitoid communities?
• Are there any management approaches to dealing with the pest in the countries where it is well established?
• Treatment options for felled trees, logs, timber prior to transportation? Is debarking or chemical control an option since adult arcuata over winter in bark crevices and cracks
• Host resistance? Is there any evidence that there are less susceptible species of oaks?
• Is any control viable/cost effective or is it inevitable that oak lace bug will spread across Europe (cf Sycamore lace bug)?

Work package 6: Engagement (Lead:

Key objectives

• Raise awareness of OLB (& OLBIE) to stakeholders and the public
• Outreach programmes?
• Observatree/Life Artemis – citizen science projects (searching/trapping for the pest; raising public awareness; webinars; posters; booklets)
• Review impacts of aesthetics of brown/discoloured oaks in urban environments (cf horse chestnut trees and Cameraria ohridella)
• Explore social acceptance of potential control and management approaches (cf work on oak processionary moth in UK)