DISPERSAL OF CONE AND SEED INSECTS TO AN ISOLATED DOUGLAS-FIR TREE IN WESTERN OREGON

Abstract

Cone and seed insects frequently cause severe losses to Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seed production in the Pacific Northwest (Hedlin et al. 1981; Ruth 1980). Two of the major species west of the Cascades are the Douglas-fir cone gall midge (Contarinia oregonensis Foote (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)) and the Douglas-fir seed chalcid (Megastigmus spermotrophus Wachtl. (Hymenoptera: Torymidae)). These two species are host specific on Douglas fir and exhibit an extended diapause in which more than 50% of each year's cohort may remain in diapause under host trees for 1 or more years (Annila 1982; Hedlin 1961; Hedlin et al. 1981; Johnson 1962). The economic and biological costs of chemical control have supported recommendation of alternative control measures, particularly (1) establishing seed orchards some distance from sources of coneand seed-insect populations, and (2) removing all cones and burning litter as a means of reducing such populations (Hedlin et al. 1981; Ruth 1980). The success of these two options depends on the dispersal strategies of cone and seed insects (Johnson 1962), but information on dispersal has been lacking. The purpose of this study was to obtain such information.