Known and predicted impacts of the invasive oak lace bug (Corythucha arcuata) in European oak ecosystems – a review

The North American oak lace bug (OLB, Corythucha arcuata) was first found in Europe in northern Italy in 2000, and up to 2019 it was recorded in 20 countries. Almost all Eurasian deciduous oak species are suitable hosts and the species can also feed on many other woody plants. At least 30 million hectares of oak forests provide suitable hosts for the OLB, meaning that the lack of suitable hosts will not restrict its further spread. Detailed studies on the long-term impact of the species are not yet available but there are many good reasons to assume that it poses multiple threats to oaks and oak ecosystems. In the long term, it may have negative effects on oak health, growth, and acorn crops. Many of other oak-associated species will likely also be negatively affected. So far, no effective and environmentally tolerable large scale control method is known for OLB.