Life-cycles and biological features of eggs predators of Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera : Lymantriidae) in the Mamora cork oak forest, Morocco

The gypsy moth oophagous predator guild in the Mamora forest is an assembla ge of many species whose succession in egg masses enhances the exploitation of this food source. Life history, biological Features and trophic capacit ies of predator species are described from field observations and laborator y rearing. Extreme diversity of diets, capacity to resist prolonged fasting and extended larval development with extra-instars enable them to survive on the cork oak when gypsy moth egg masses are absent. The 1986-1990 gypsy moth outbreak occurred in a forest part where unhealthy cork oaks are commo n. by providing abundant shelter for numerous arthropods these trees are be neficial to the oophagous predators which find there various and abundant f ood sources. This probably explains why egg predator activity in the infest ed area rapidly increased so that the pest outbreak collapsed.