Hylastes ater(Curculionidae: Scolytinae) AffectingPinus radiataSeedling Establishment in New Zealand

Travis R. Glare,Stephen D. Reay,Michael Brownbridge

doi:10.1155/2012/590619

Travis R. Glare, Stephen D. Reay + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/590619

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Abstract

The introduced pine bark beetleHylastes aterhas been present in New Zealand for around 100 years. The beetle has been a minor pest on pines. Research was undertaken to control the pest in the 1950s–1970s, with a biological control agent introduced with limited success. Following a reasonably long period with minimal research attention, renewed interest in developing a better understanding of the pest status was initiated in the mid to late 1990s. Subsequently, a significant amount of research was undertaken, with a number of studies exploring the role of this pest of exotic forests in New Zealand. These studies ranged from attempting to quantify damage to seedlings, evaluate the role of the beetle in vectoring sapstain fungi, explore options for management, and evaluate the potential for chemical and biological control. From these studies, a number of findings were made that are relevant to the New Zealand exotic forest industry and shed new light onto the role of secondary bark beetles globally.

Highlights

The introduced pine bark beetle, Hylastes ater (Paykull) (Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is a pest of reestablished Pinus radiata D
Surveys where live and dead seedlings were destructively sampled in 60 compartments in the central North Island showed that seedling mortality due to severe H. ater damage in most compartments was less than 5% [3]
Beauveria caledonica Bissett and Widden was isolated from H. ater and H. ligniperda in New Zealand and subsequently shown to be pathogenic to these two species in laboratory bioassays [57]

Summary

Introduction

The introduced pine bark beetle, Hylastes ater (Paykull) (Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is a pest of reestablished Pinus radiata D. Seedling mortality was occasionally higher (up to 30%) These surveys revealed relatively few dead seedlings without evidence of severe feeding damage (i.e., root collar region completely ring barked), suggesting that seedling mortality due to severe H. ater damage was more likely than other factors (e.g., drought, poor planting). Experimentation in forest establishment practices by some forestry companies in New Zealand resulted in areas being replanted outside of the traditional winter replanting times using containerised tree stocks This means the planting season was extended so re-establishment could, in theory, occur year round. When areas of damaged seedlings were revisited three years following planting, Reay et al [38] failed to isolate any sapstain fungi species from the previously damaged trees that were sampled. Continued treatment of bark beetles as biosecurity threats to New Zealand is imperative, despite the establishment of several species

Molecular Characterisation of Hylastes ater and Associated Species

Findings

Conclusion