Predilection of Chaitophorus populeti and Phyllobius oblongus on four clones of white poplar

The predilection of Poplar shoot aphid (Chaitophorus populeti Panzer) and European Snout Beetle (Phyllobius oblongus L.) in the first and second growing season in two experimental plantations. Four white poplar clones were tested: Villafranca, L-100, L-80, and L-12. The first experimental plot was established at the beginning of 2019 and the second in 2020 near Novi Sad (northern Serbia). Predilection of C. populeti Panzer was performed on three plants per each of three blocks and every of four clones. Predilection of P. oblongus L. was evaluated on all leaves of five shoots on three plants per each of three blocks of every of four clones. According to the results of analysis of variance and Tukey's test for several traits describing intensity of damage and percentage of damaged leaves, there was significant difference between examined clones in prevalence of P. oblongus L. Significantly stronger attack was found for clones L-80 and L-12 than on Villafranca and L-100 in both years on plants in their first growing period. The damage from this pest in second growing period could almost not to be detected. In case of C. populeti Panzer, the prevalence was assessed according to the percentage of colonized shoots. The differences between examined clones were significant only in first growing period in 2019, where the strongest attack was found on clones Villafranca and L-100, and the weakest on clones L-80 and L-12. Results of the study are particularly important in the context of clones L-12 and L-80 performances evaluation, considering that these clones are still in the experimental phase of testing. Likewise, the intensity of attacks of studied pest species suggests that special attention to their presence and spreading should be paid in the first growing season after plantation establishment.