Kardash Y. Species composition and ecology of philophagous insects in deciduous trees of urbocenoses of Kharkiv city

PhD thesis is devoted to the identification of the species composition of philophagous insects, their bioecological features, distribution in urban stands of different categories, and trophic activity in the urban coenoses of Kharkiv. The urgency is due to the fact that green stands of cities in conditions of high anthropogenic load are vulnerable to adverse environmental factors, particularly to insect damage. The scientific novelty of the work consists in the identification of 143 philophagous species in the green stands of Kharkiv. In comparison with the 60s of the last century, an increase in the number of species with hidden and semi-hidden lifestyles, a decrease in the number of large species, the emergence of adventitious species. The distribution of philophagous insects according to biological features is studied. It was found that the intensity of leaf damage by open-living insects decreases from the forest park to parks and streets, in well-groomed parks is less than in neglected, in central streets less than on the outskirts, and in the streets with heavy traffic - less than in the streets with low traffic. The approach to assessing the harmfulness of philophagous insects due to biology and environmental conditions has been improved. It has been proved that the harmfulness of open-living insects increases in a row of maple - linden - oak - ash - elm. At the same time, the average removal of leaves by these philophagous insects in the surveyed stands of Kharkiv does not exceed 10%, i.e. they do not threaten the health condition of trees. Differences in the distribution of philophagous insects make it possible to introduce tree species, less vulnerable to damage. Rating of the harmfulness of philophagous insects is appropriate to use in monitoring programs, and the method of analysis of meteorological indicators - to predict the dynamics of populations, and, if necessary, the timing of protective measures.