Edmundo Sousa

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Nematoda; Aphelenchoididae) associated with Monochamus galloprovincialis (Coleoptera; Cerambycidae) in Portugal

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Buhrer, 1934) Nickle, 1970 is the causal agent of pine wilt disease (PWD) in Pinus. It is a quarantine organism in the European Union (Directive 77/93, EEC) and an impediment to international trade of forest products. A pest risk analysis for B. xylophilus and its vectors in the genus Monochamus for the territories of the European Union concluded that, due to the frequent occurrence of susceptible pine hosts in Europe and the presence of suitable insect vectors, PWD couldhave important economicandecolog

Parasitoids of Monochamus galloprovincialis (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), vector of the pine wood nematode, with identification key for the Palaearctic region.

Abstract The parasitoid complex associated with Monochamus galloprovincialis (Olivier), vector of the pine wood nematode, is discussed. Four species of the family Braconidae and one Ichneumonidae were found associated with Monochamus galloprovincialis in Portugal, namely Atanycolus denigrator (Linnaeus), Atanycolus ivanowi (Kokujev), Cyanopterus flavator (Fabricius), Doryctes striatellus (Nees) (Braconidae), and Xorides depressus (Holmgren) (Ichneumonidae). Atanycolus ivanowi, Atanycolus denigrator, Doryctes striatellus and Xorides depressus are new species for Portugal fauna, and Monochamus galloprovincialis is recorded as a new host of Xorides depressus. A key for determination of the ichneumonoid parasitoids of the pine sawyer is provided for the Palaearctic fauna.

Pests and Diseases in Portuguese Forestry: Current and New Threats

An overview of pest and disease problems in the main types of Portuguese forest is presented. Native pine forests, mainly Pinus pinaster and Pinus pinea have been occasionally affected by native bark beetles, cone feeders, one defoliator (the pine processionary moth) and a few fungi. Thus far, problems with these native pests and pathogens, arise mostly during outbreaks or epizootic periods. In most cases they are associated with poor forest management, fires or drought stress. Nevertheless, some alien pests and pathogens have recently become reason for concern, namely the pinewood nematode and Fusarium circinatum. Mediterranean forests composed of evergreen oaks, namely Quercus suber and Quercus ilex, were in the past mainly affected by defoliators such as Lymantria dispar and Tortrix viridana. During the second half of the 20th century, oak decline increased and was attributed to drought stress, together with a complex interaction of biotic agents. Fungi in the genera Biscogniauxia and Diplodia, the Oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi together with bark and wood borers, in particular Platypus cylindrus, were associated with the most serious cases. For more than a century the exotic Eucalyptus forest plantations were free from pests and pathogens. However, they are currently threatened by increasing numbers of pests and diseases mainly originating from Australia. Some of them cause severe damage and compromise productivity. For all these forest ecosystems, health problems are expected to be favoured by climate changes and new biological invasions, implying that efforts should be made to develop new control strategies to combat future threats.

Micro X-ray computed tomography suggests cooperative feeding among adult invasive bugs Leptoglossus occidentalis on mature seeds of stone pine Pinus pinea

The consumption of edible pine seeds of stone pine by the invasive Leptoglossus occidentalis represents a major concern for producers in Mediterranean countries but, to date, little knowledge is available about its feeding process on these seeds. In the present study, we tested whether L. occidentalis is capable of feeding upon mature pine seeds and also estimated the impact that they may induce. Sound pine seeds were offered to bugs under laboratory conditions. Seed content was analyzed via a multitechnique approach using a stereomicroscope, X‐rays and microcomputed tomography, which was expected to better characterize the damage caused by this bug. Adults of L. occidentalis were capable of feeding on mature seeds by piercing the hard and thick coat. However, the consumption was low and demonstrated a slow start, presumably as a result of the time and effort taken to drill a feeding hole. A collaborative feeding process was suggested because all bugs in the same box appeared to have fed through the same hole in most cases. Consumption was estimated to be approximately one‐fifth of a seed kernel per bug per month. Consumed kernels appeared skunked and wrinkled.