NEW RECORDS OF Garella musculana (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) IN BULGARIA

Abstract

The Asian walnut moth, Garella musculana (Erschov, 1874), a major pest of walnut in Asia, was recently detected in Bulgaria. The common walnut (Juglans regia L.) is widely distributed in the country, being cultivated in gardens, along streets and roads, and in orchards. Surveys conducted between May and September of 2024 and 2025 examined walnut trees in streets, parks, and suburban areas across different climatic zones. The species was recorded in the Sofia region, northeastern Bulgaria, and along the Black Sea coast, but was not found in southern and northwestern Bulgaria. In the Sofia region, three generations were observed. Larvae were found mainly in the fruit pericarp, although some also penetrated the nut. Our results suggest that the species is still expanding its range in Bulgaria. Considering its rapid spread in the Sofia region and the growing importance of walnut cultivation, further investigations into the distribution and impact of this pest are needed.