The validation of two tests based on qPCR and a FLASH test with commercial kits for DNA isolation and amplification produced by Russian companies AgroDiagnostika and Syntol was assessed, as well as using Russian amplifiers for identification of the genetic material of a complex of causative agents of the quarantine disease, brown rot and bacterial wilt Ralstonia solanacearum sen­ su lato, in extract of potatoes and roses. The analytical sensitivity of tests for most strains was 102–103 CFU/ml. The repeatability and reproducibility of RT-PCR tests depended on the instrument used. The values of the working criteria up to 100% were obtained on a qPCR machine DT-light manufactured by DNA-Technology. Based on the test results, Agro-Diagnostika kits can be recommended for carrying out universal screening tests during laboratory studies of regulated products samples to identify pathogens of the species complex. The test with the Syntol kit, specific to R. solanacearum race 3 biovar 2, can be used to confirm a positive result of the screening test or as a screening test when examining samples from the spread areas of R. solanacearum race 3 biovar 2, as well as for differential diagnosis this group.

This work is a practical guidance for the identification of fruit fly larvae Myiopardalis pardalina, Bactrocera cu­ curbitae, Bactrocera dorsalis, Bactrocera latifrons and Da­ cus spp., occurring on Cucurbitaceae fruits. It contains an identification key with illustrations allowing to differentiate third instar larvae of 5 species, 3 of which are quarantine objects (pests) for the Eurasian Economic Union.

In Russia, the horse-chestnut leaf miner Cameraria ohridella was detected in 2003 in Kaliningrad Oblast, and in 2005 – in Moscow. Currently, the species is widely spread in European part of the Russian Federation, and its area continues to expand. On affected chestnut plants, up to 90% of the leaf surface is destroyed. The article analyzes various ways to control C. ohridel­ la used in Russia and some European countries. The most effective is the chemical method of pest control, however, pesticides officially allowed to be used against

C. ohridella are absent in Russia. There are systemic preparations – Insegar, Lufoks, Konfidor, Aktellik, Iskra, Imidacloprid, etc., which may be suitable for use in Russia on chestnut, but they are recommended against other phytophage species. Trees can also be protected from C. ohridella by injecting a systemic insecticide into the trunk. This method was not widely used in Europe, because the costs were extremely high. As for Russia, today there is not a single registered drug in the country that is approved for use against this pest using intra-stem injection technology. Given this circumstance, research work should be more directed towards the development of biological control measures. Scientists are conducting research to find suitable species of parasitoids that can be used to suppress the population of C. ohridella.

In the course of the work, for the first time, a pest risk analysis (PRA) was carried out for the pathogenic fungi Diaporthe cucurbitae and Stagonosporopsis citrulli for regulated products – Cucurbitaceae seeds. The agent of black rot Diaporthe cucurbitae can cause death of seedlings in case of early infection. On host plants fruits, the phytopathogen causes symptoms in the form of brown, soft, sunken lesions of irregular shape, leading to a significant deterioration in commercial qualities. The main pathway of the fungus is the Cucurbitaceae seed material. The causative agent of mycosis is able to be transmitted mechanically between plants during agricultural activities, with the help of wind and drop-liquid moisture, and also persist in plant debris, starting a new cycle of disease development in the next growing season. Stagonosporopsis citrulli belongs to the group of viscous rot pathogens, consisting of three morphologically similar, but genetically different species: Stagonosporopsis citrulli, Stagonosporopsis cucurbita­ cearum and Stagonosporopsis caricae. Infection can occur on leaves, stems and fruits. The pathogen can be transmitted through seedlings from infected seeds. Due to the widespread cultivation of host plants on the territory of the Russian Federation and the possible negative consequences of the introduction and spread of the above-stated pests, it was decided to conduct a PRA as part of a study of the phytosanitary safety of Cucurbitaceae seeds. The PRA results showed that Diaport­ he cucurbitae and Stagonosporopsis citrulli can harm the production of Cucurbitaceae in Russia, but the potential damage of these phytopathogens is low, so they are not recommended for inclusion in the list of regulated pests.

The results of 4-year (2018–2021) studies of Monocha­ mus Dejean, 1821 longhorn beetles in the biocenoses of five main specially protected natural areas (SPNA) of Republic of Karelia are presented: reserves “Kivach” and “Kostomukshsky”, national parks “Vodlozersky”, “Paanayarvi” and “Ladoga skerries”. Beetles were caught using pheromone traps manufactured by FGBU “VNIIKR”. To synthesize the aggregation pheromone, a mixture consisting of the following components was used: 2-undecyloxyethane-1-ol (I) (monochamol), ipsenol (II), ipsdienol (III), 2-methyl-3-butene-1-ol (IV), alpha-pinene (V) and verbenone (VI). Beetles of the genus Monochamus were found in all studied protected areas. Widespread species include Monochamus sutor (Linnaeus, 1758) and M. galloprovincialis (Olivier, 1795), which are abundant throughout the republic, including the Far North. The predominance of adult individuals of M. sar­ tor urussovii (Fischer von Waldheim, 1806) and M. sutor in coniferous plantations, and M. galloprovincialis in deciduous forests was revealed. The largest number of Monochamus larvae was observed in the green moss pine forest. All detections were recorded on fallen coniferous trees – pine (Pinus sylvestris) and spruce (Picea abies), where they were most often localized in the butt end. The beetle flight is from late May till September. The peak of their activity has been marked since mid-July.

Methyl nicotinate and its analogues are effective attractants for various thrips species, including Western fl wer thrips. These compounds are highly volatile; therefore, for the convenience of their practical use as attractants in traps, it is necessary to ensure their prolonged evaporation. The article presents the materials of laboratory studies of the evaporation of methyl nicotinate from dispensers of various designs. The best option turned out to be 2 x 2.5 cm plates hermetically sealed in double bags of high-density polyethylene 200 microns thick. This version of the dispenser with an attractant (methyl nicotinate, 150 mg) and an aggregation pheromone (neryl-2-methylbutanoate, 1 mg) applied to it, manufactured at the VNIIKR, was tested for efficiency when catching the Western fl wer thrips Frankliniella oc­ cidentalis on a cucumber culture in conditions of closed ground with colored sticky traps “Plate”. The traps with the developed dispensers caught 1.4–1.9 times more thrips compared to the control ones for 40 days. After 40 days, experimental and control traps caught insect pests in approximately the same way, which indicated the exhaustion of the dispenser resource.