Forest entomology in China—a general review

Abstract

The structure of Chinese organizations for research into forest entomology is outlined. The major species of tree found in Chinese forests are Pinus spp., China fir ( Cunninghamia lanceolata), tea-oil tree ( Camellia oleifera), bamboo ( Phyllostachys pubescens), poplars ( Populus spp.), willows ( Salix spp.), elm ( Ulmus pumila) and locust tree ( Robinia pseudoacacia). The most important insect pests of pine and China fir include the China fir shoot moth ( Polychrosis cunninghamicola Liu et Pei (Lepidoptera, Torticidae, Olethreutinae)), the two-striped long-horned beetle ( Semanotus bifaciatus sinoauster Gressitt (Coleoptera, Ceramycidae, Cerambycinae)), two species of termites ( Odontotermes formosanus Shiraki and Macrotermes barneyi Light (Isoptera, Termitidae)), the pine caterpillar ( Dendrolimus punctatus Walker (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae)), the splendid knot-horn moth ( Dioryctria splendidella Herrich-Shaeffer (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)) and pine bast scales ( Matsucoccus matsumurae Kuw. and M. massoniana Y.H.R). In man-made forests in China, the use of poor-quality seeds and seedlings, the unsuitability of some tree species for a particular site and the planting of pure rather than mixed stands, have created conditions conducive to outbreaks of insect pests. Current pest-control methods include the use of insecticides, biological control with Beauveria bassiana, Bacillus thuringiensis and Trichogramma dendrolimi, and silvicultural methods such as selective cutting, with planting of mixed stands and protection of beneficial birds.