Before starting the treatment of pine stands at the Lyman Forestry Enterprise of Donetsk Regional Forestry and Hunting Administration, an examination was conducted using the crown shaking method to assess the entomological canopy. The number of pine looper caterpillars is alarming. It is important to note that in many areas, the supply of food substrate is low. Therefore, even the observed number of pest caterpillars poses a high risk of severe needle defoliation.

Unfortunately, the presence of pine silkworm caterpillars was also confirmed. Their number and density increase the threat to pine stands. At the time of the survey, the pine silkworm caterpillars were in their third and fourth instars.

During the survey, the emergence of common pine sawfly larvae from eggs was also recorded. The pest larvae were quite small, inconspicuous, and clustered near the twigs to hide from the September sun.

Thus, in the pine stands of Lyman Forestry Enterprise, within the outbreak zone of mass reproduction of the Pine Looper Moth in 2017, a complex focus of dangerous needle-eating pests is currently active, including the pine looper, pine silkworm, and common pine sawfly. Each of these species poses a threat to pine forests.

As always, the drought indicator pest, the pine hawk moth, continues to feed in the canopy.