The oak processionary moth (EPS; Thaumetopoea processionea L.) as a biotic stress factor has caused considerable damage in German oak forests in recent years. Its living conditions are favored by the climatic changes (milder winters and warmer springs), with the result that more and more oak processionary moth mass propagations with defoliation events and large-scale forest damage occur. The infested areas with increased EPS densities continue to spread. The enormous health risk for humans and animals from the EPS stinging hairs is added to the considerable damage to the forest. Various measures are used to prevent and combat EPS calamities. The variety of natural EPS antagonists for biological regulation can be used to prevent this.
The aim of the "AntiEPS" project that has started is to systematically analyze the diversity of EPS pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, including microsporidia, protists) and EPS parasites, parasitoids and predators, as well as the intensity of the infestation in different stages of development of the EPS capture. This takes place throughout Germany at selected locations with different climatic conditions. Different EPS populations and stages of development of the EPS are taken into account in order to identify possible associations between EPS lineage and degree of parasitization. Both established morphological and modern molecular genetic methods are used for this purpose.
The AntiEPS project is a basic and application-oriented research project in a network of two research institutions, the FVA Baden-Württemberg (coordination), the JKI Institute for Biological Control and the company AIM GmbH (Advanced Identification Methods). In addition, there is close cooperation with forest research institutions nationwide as well as with local and regional operating facilities.