NATURAL ENEMIES OF WILLOW (SALIX) TREE PESTS AND THEIR INTERRELATIONSHIPS
Abstract
Willow plantations play a significant role in maintaining ecological stability, reducing soil erosion, and conserving water resources. In recent years, due to climate change and anthropogenic impacts, willow stands have been increasingly affected by various pests. The aim of this study is to identify the main pests of willow trees under the conditions of Uzbekistan, to investigate their bioecology, and to evaluate the effectiveness of integrated pest management measures. The results show that an integrated protection system (including agrotechnical, biological, and, when necessary, chemical measures) reduces pest populations by 86–88%. It is also important to identify parasitic and predatory entomophages present in willow biocenoses across Uzbekistan, conduct their systematic analysis, and study their biological characteristics in order to enhance pest control in forestry. The developed mathematical forecasting model enables early detection of pest risks and effective planning of control measures, with an accuracy of 92–95%. The findings of this research provide a scientific basis for the sustainable protection of willow plantations, the improvement of agroecological management, and the development of environmentally friendly pesticide strategies.