T. Evan Nebeker

Response of the clerid predatorThanasimus dubius (F.) to bark beetle pheromones and tree volatiles in a wind tunnel

Tree volatiles and pheromones produced by southern bark beetles were bioassayed for response by the clerid predatorThanasimus dubius (F.). Upwind flights in a laboratory olfactometer, modified from Visser (1976), were used to determine the attractiveness of compounds. Differences in response to a solvent control and pheromone treatment were tested for statistical significance using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Both sexes ofT. dubius responded to frontalin, ipsdienol, and α-pinene in a dose-dependent manner with different but overlapping concentration ranges. Strong differences between the sexes were observed in response totrans-verbenol, verbenone, andl-β-pinene. Neither sex responded to ipsenol orendo-brevicomin.

HOST PLANTS OF XYLOSANDRUS MUTILATUS IN MISSISSIPPI

Abstract Host range of Xylosandrus mutilatus (Blandford) in North America is reported here for the first time. Descriptive data such as number of attacks per host, size of stems at point of attacks, and height of attacks above ground are presented. Hosts observed in Mississippi were Acer rubrum L., Acer saccharum Marsh., Acer palmatum Thunb., Ostrya virginiana (Mill.) K. Koch., Cornus florida L., Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., Liquidamber styraciflua L., Carya spp., Liriodendron tulipifera L., Melia azedarach L., Pinus taeda L., Prunus serotina Ehrh., Prunus americana Marsh., Ulmus alata Michaux, and Vitus rotundifolia Michaux. Liquidamber styraciflua had significantly more successful attacks, significantly higher probability of attacks, and significantly higher number of adult beetles per host tree than did Carya spp., A. rubrum, and L. tulipifera. This information is relevant in determining the impact this exotic beetle may have in nurseries, urban areas, and other forestry systems where this beetle becomes established.

Role of Oleoresin Flow in Initial Colonization of Loblolly Pine by Southern Pine Beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

The influence of total resin flow in loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., on initial colonization by the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), was investigated. Resin flow of trees was manipulated mechanically so that it followed the same pattern of decrease and near cessation as seen in trees successfully attacked by southern pine beetle. There were also intermediate treatments where resin flow was allowed to recover after near cessation. Beetles were introduced by means of mesh cages attached to the mid-bole of trees and left until the end of the longest wounding treatment. In trees where resin flow was reduced, significant increases in number of attacks, total gallery length, and length of gallery free of resin occurred.

Feeding preferences and their modification in early and late instar larvae of the bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Lepidoptera: Psychidae).

Feeding preferences in naive first instar and penultimate-final instar bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis)larvae were investigated using two choice tests. Naive first instar larvae showed a general (though not exclusive) preference for black willow (Salix nigra)over other hosts tested, regardless of the host of origin. Penultimate-final instar larvae showed strong preferences for the previous rearing host, suggesting induction of host preference; there was no evidence of host origin effects. The ability to discriminate among hosts is important if it is actually used to make host choices based on host quality. In bagworms, where host choices (if any) must be made by larvae in habitats where several hosts are often present, host discriminatory ability is likely important.

Forest Pests: Influence of Forest Management Practices on Pest Population Dynamics and Forest Productivity

Considerable interest now exists in understanding how the host tree, pest population, associated microorganisms, and the environment interact to determine if a pest outbreak will occur. However, most research in the past has focused on individual components which determine pest outbreaks. To address management of “pest” stress it will be essential that we develop a better understanding of the repertoire of host defenses, and how genetics and environment interact to control expression of these defense mechanisms. The objective of this chapter will be to (1) bring together information gained through several studies which have attempted to elucidate the interrelationships between host, pathogens, etc. and (2) illustrate how this information can be incorporated into a forest management program to lessen the stress on the residual forest and decrease the susceptibility to pest attack.