Stem Borer Incidence Research Articles

Incidence of Rice Stem Borers in Coastal Andhra Pradesh with Emphasis on <i>Sesamia inferens</i> (Walker)

A roving survey was conducted in the rice crop grown in coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh during rabi, 2021-22 and 2022-23. Overall mean stem borer incidence varied from 13.59% - 14.83% in both the seasons. Larvae of Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker), Sesamia inferens (Walker), Chilo polychrysus (Meyers) and Chilo auricilius (Dudgeon), were recorded from four districts during the survey. Among the stem borers, S. incertulas was the most predominant species (53.37%) followed by S. inferens (44.7%). Natural larval parasitization (21%) of S. inferens by Cotesia flavipes Cameron was observed in West Godavari district. The biology of S. inferens was studied on rice cv. MTU 1121. The average larval period recorded was 32.40± 0.35 days. Total life cycle of S. inferens ranged between 41-65 and 46-73 days for male and female moths, respectively. Current study suggests that S. inferens could be a potential threat to rice cultivation in coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Efficacy of eco-friendly insecticides against yellow stem borer under spring rice crop ecosystem of Saptari district, Nepal

The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of eco-friendly insecticides in controlling yellow stem borer in spring rice crops of Hardinath-1 variety in Saptari district, Nepal. For this experiment, a Randomized Block Design was used with seven different treatments and an untreated control group. The treatments tested included Bacillus thuringiensis var kurtaski, Beauveria bassiana, Azadiractin 2.00%, garlic extract, tobacco extract, larvosin, and an untreated plot. The plots used were 3 × 4 meters in size and the plants were spaced 20 centimeters apart in both rows and between plants. The crop was sprayed twice, once during the vegetative stage and once during the reproductive stage, when the pest population reached a certain level. The incidence of dead heart was observed on ten randomly selected hills from each plot before and after the insecticide application, and observations on yellow stem borer incidence were recorded. Results showed that B. thuringiensis var kurtaski had the lowest dead heart infestation (0.4889%) and the minimum white head infestation (0.367%), as well as the highest mean yield (5.755mt/ha). Neembicide and B. bassiana also showed promising results.

Insect Pest Incidence with the System of Rice Intensification: Results of a Multi-Location Study and a Meta-Analysis

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) developed in Madagascar has spread to many parts of the world, including India. This study assessing insect pest prevalence on rice grown with SRI vs. conventional methods at multiple locations in India was prompted by reports that SRI-managed rice plants are healthier and more resistant to pest and disease damage. Field experiments were conducted under the All-India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project over a 5-year period. The split-plot design assessed both cultivation methods and different cultivars, hybrids and improved varieties. Across the eight locations, SRI methods of cultivation showed a lower incidence of stem borer, planthoppers, and gall midge compared to conventional methods. Whorl maggots and thrips, on the other hand, were observed to be higher. Grain yield was significantly higher with SRI management across all locations. Higher ash, cellulose, hemicellulose, as well as silica content in rice plants under SRI management could explain at least in part the SRI plants’ resistance to pest damage. Analysis of guild composition revealed that in SRI plots, there were more natural enemies (insect predators and parasitoids) present and fewer crop pests (phytophages). A meta-analysis that considered other published research on this subject revealed a lower incidence of dead hearts, white ear-heads, and leaf folders, along with higher grain yield, in SRI plots.

Impact of Abiotic Factors on the Incidence of Insect Pests in Rice

The investigation on impact of abiotic factors on incidence of insect pests in rice was carried out during Kharif 2021. The highest and lowest Rice Yellow Stem Borer incidence was recorded at vegetative stage in the form of dead heart at 31st Standard Meteorological Weeks (SMW) and 40th SMW and it was 16.48% and 1.10%, respectively, whereas at reproductive stage the highest and lowest incidence was recorded in the form of white ear at 42nd SMW and 41th SMW i.e., 18.12% and 16.75%, respectively. The highest Rice leaf folder incidence was recorded in 36th SMW (16.25%) and lowest in 44th SMW (1.31%). The highest and lowest Rice Gundhi bug mean population was recorded in 39th SMW (10.30 bugs/hill) and 44th SMW (1.31 bugs/hill). The highest and lowest Brown Plant Hopper (BPH) mean population was recorded in 38th SMW and 41st SMW and it was10.80 BPH/hill and 1.60 BPH/hill, respectively. The yellow stem borer showed significant positive correlation with relative humidity whereas, non-significant positive correlation with minimum temperature, maximum temperature, rainfall and sunshine. Rice leaf folder population showed significant positive correlation with minimum temperature and relative humidity. Whereas, positive and non-significant correlation with maximum temperature and rainfall. However, negative and non-significant correlation with sunshine. Gundhi bug showed a non-significant positive correlation with Relative humidity, Rainfall and sunshine. However, negative and non-significant correlation with minimum temperature and maximum temperature. BPH population showed significant positive correlation with minimum temperature and relative humidity, however positive and non-significant correlation with maximum temperature and rainfall. Whereas, negative and non-significant correlation with Sunshine.

The effect of using fresh farmyard manure (animal manure) on the severity of Fusarium verticilioides in soil, root, stem, and kernels as well as lodging and borer incidence of maize plants.

Fusarium verticillioides, an important maize pathogen, produce fumonisins, causes stalk rot and consequentially reduce crop growth and yield. Therefore, herein we aimed to evaluate the potential use of two farmyard soil organic manures, i.e., fresh (5-6 days old) and stored (5-6 months old) organic manure, to manage F. verticillioides infections as well as borer incidence and lodging in maize plants. After 30, 60, and 90 days of sowing, samples of soil, roots, and stems were collected to isolate F. verticillioides. Moreover, we estimated ear and kernel rot induced by F. verticillioides at the final harvest. Fresh organic manure treatment increased infection rates of F. verticillioides in soil, roots, stem and kernels compared to the control treatment. In contrast, stored organic manure plots treatments decrease F. verticillioides frequency. At 90 days after sowing, stored organic manure suppressed the survival of F. verticillioides, which reduced the F. verticillioides incidence percent. These results were similar to the effect of herbicides-and insecticide-treated plots demonstrated, which show a significant decrease in F. verticillioides incidence rates. Mycological analysis on symptomless kernels revealed a higher % of pathogen infection in opened husks variety (Balady) than closed husks variety (SC10). Compared with stored organic manure, the stem borer incidence and lodging percentage were the highest in fresh organic manure plots. Finally, these results demonstrated that storing organic manure within five to six months as farmyard manure led to high-temperature centigrade within organic manure, thereby destroying spores of F. verticillioides, whereas fresh organic manure did not.

Silicon Supplementation Along with Potassium Activate Defense Reaction in Wheat Plants and Reduce the Impact of Pink Stem Borer Incidence

Silicon Supplementation Along with Potassium Activate Defense Reaction in Wheat Plants and Reduce the Impact of Pink Stem Borer Incidence

Pest Incidence as Influenced by Different Sowing Methods and Varieties of Rice

The effect of weather parameters on different rice cultivars with various sowing methods of direct seeded rice was studied at Agricultural Research Station Farm, Vadgaon Maval, Tal. Maval, Dist. Pune kharif, 2017.The field experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. There were sixteen treatment combinations comprising of four sowing methods and four varieties. The results revealed that the pest population was lower in paddy variety VDN-99-29 (Phule Samruddhi) followed VDN-3-51-18 (Indrayani) and higher incidence with IET-13549 (Bhogawati) and RDN-99-1 (Phule Radha). The pest incidence was more with drill sowing at 22.5 cm and lower with sowing on raised bed (15-25×15-25 cm). There was positive correlation between maximum temperature, morning relative humidity, BSS, growing degree day and canopy temperature with incidence of leaf folder and brown plant hopper but negative correlation with minimum temperature, evening relative humidity. Stem borer incidence was not observed during the period of investigation. Therefore It would be, suggested to adopt sowing on raised bed (15-25×15-25 cm) to kharif direct seeded paddy variety Phule Samruddhi for minimum attack of rice pest with high yield production.

Evaluation of frontline demonstrations on integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) practices in paddy

ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu conducted frontline demonstrations on the integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) technology in paddy at Velayuthapuram (DFI) village of Kadaiyanallur block, Tamil Nadu during rabi season 2018. The IPDM technology comprised seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10 g/kg, soil application of P fluorescens @ 1 kg/acre, seedling root dip of P fluorescens @ 1 kg/acre, foliar application of Lecanicillium lecanii @ 1 l/acre, field release of Trichogramma japonicum @ 2 cc and T chilonis @ 2 cc, installation of stem borer pheromone traps @ 10/acre, installation of yellow sticky traps @ 5/acre and need-based application of neem oil @ 3 per cent. The results revealed that adoption of IPDM practices recorded the lower incidence of stem borer (6.5%), leaf folder (7.3%), gall midge (5.4%) and blast (5.1%) compared to the farmers’ practice. The natural enemies’ population (3-6 number/hill) was also recorded higher in IPDM practices’ fields compared to the famers’ practice. IPDM demonstration plots recorded a higher yield (5.41 tonnes/ha), net return (Rs 37,040) and benefit-cost ratio (1.87).

Effects of indigenous plant extracts with cow urine on incidence of stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) in paddy (Oryza sativa L.)

Regarding the impact of different chemical insecticides on human health and the environment, field efficacy was carried out during Kharif 2019 at Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, India for different plant extracts with animal byproduct viz., Cow urine + Azadirachta indica, Cow urine + Melia azedarach, Cow urine + Lantana camara, Cow urine +Jatropha gossypiflora, Cow urine + Eucalyptus oblique, Cow urine + Cannabis sativa and Neemoz (Azadirachtin 300 ppm) against rice stem borer, S. incertulas was carried out in randomized block design with three replications. The result revealed that Neemoz @ 2500 mL/ha was most effective treatment in reducing the infestation of rice stem borer followed by Cow urine + Melia azedarach @ 7500mL/ha. The Cow urine + Cannabis sativa @ 7500 mL/ha was recorded least effective. In the future, the use of cow urine with some other plant extracts could be a more effective control of the rice insect pest.

Influence of abiotic factors on stem borer incidence and species distribution in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Aim: To evaluate the effect of abiotic factors such as temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, sunshine hours and rainfall on the distribution and relative abundance of stem borer species in rice ecosystem. Methodology: Seasonal incidence of stem borer species was monitored using light trap catches and were correlated with the weather parameters. The relative abundance of stem borer species during Kharif and Rabi was estimated based on light trap catches and larval incidence. Results: Seasonal incidence revealed the occurrence of three stem borer species (yellow stem borer, pink stem borer and dark headed borer) populations in rice ecosystem. Yellow stem borer was found to dominate in rice ecosystem during Kharif, (80.61%) whereas during Rabi, pinkstem borer was found to be dominant (72.60%) than yellow stem borer (21.92%) and dark headed borer (5.48%). Weather parameters such as temperature, rainfall and wind velocity negatively influenced the occurrence of stem borer species in rice, whereas relative humidity and sunshine hours had positive effect. Regression analysis revealed the increased effect of abiotic factors such as temperature, relative humidity and wind velocityon the population of pink stem borer against yellow stem borer and dark headed borer. Interpretation: The present study reveals that, the change in weather parameter during seasons, such as temperature (25 - 27°C), relative humidity (69 - 80 %) and wind velocity (3 - 4 km hr-1) increased the fitness of pink stem borer species population than yellow stem borer and dark headed borer species in rice ecosystem, which was evidenced by the occurrence and relative abundance of pink stem borer population during Kharif 2018 and Rabi 2019 respectively.

Screening of Rice Varieties for Resistance to Major Insect Pests

Rice is attacked by several insect pests and of these the stem borers Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker), S. innotata (Walker), Sesamia inferens (Walker), leaf folder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) and plant hoppers viz. brown plant hopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stal), white backed plant hopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) are the most destructive. This study was carried out at the PAU Regional Station, Gurdaspur during kharif seasons of 2017 and 2018 to evaluate performance of varieties viz. PR 121, PR 122, PR 123, PR 124, Pusa 44, PR 126, PR 115, PR 114 and HKR 127 against these pests. The incidence of stem borers, leaf folder and of plant hoppers/ hill were observed at 40, 60, 80 and 100 days after transplanting. It was observed that rice varieties PR 126, PR 115 were the least preferred whereas Pusa 44 was found highly preferred by these major insect pests.

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Levels on the Incidence of Insect Pests in Four Rice Cultivars

Aim: To determine the effect of local rice cultivars and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on the incidence of stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker); leaffolder, Cnephalocrocis medinalis (Guenee); and gall midge, Orseolia oryzae (Wood Mason) and on grain yield of rice.
 Study Design: A field experiment for two consecutive years was carried out in a split-plot arrangement in randomized block design with three replications.
 Place and duration of the study: Department of Entomology, Agricultural Research Station, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India during Kharif, 2013 and 2014.
 Methodology: The rice cultivars (NLR 20104, NLR 20106, NLR 3135 and NLR 33892) were attributed to experimental main plots and nitrogen levels (40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg ha-1) to the sub plots. Observations on incidence of stem borer, gall midge and leaf folder was recorded in randomly selected 10 hills per subplot in replication and percent incidence was calculated.
 Results: The pest incidence for the treatments with high N rate as 160 and 200 kg/ha was higher (31.43 & 43.86% stem borer, 9.23 & 13.59% leaffolder and 2.75 & 3.00% gall midge, respectively) than that for lower N rate i.e. 40 and 80 kg ha-1 (19.24 & 20.04% stem borer, 7.37 & 7.95% leaffolder and 1.42 & 1.93% gall midge, respectively). Different rice cultivars significantly influenced the leaffolder incidence but not the stem borer and gall midge incidence. The Highest leaffolder incidence (13.44%) was noticed in NLR 20104 cultivar which was followed by NLR 3135 cultivar with 9.64% leaffolder incidence. Gall midge and leaffolder incidence was not significantly influenced by the combined effect of rice cultivar and nitrogen levels; in contrast, interaction effect has a significant influence on stem borer incidence. Significantly lowest stem borer incidence (18.21%) was noticed with NLR 3135 rice cultivar treated with 40 N ha-1, which was statistically on par with the NLR 20106 rice cultivar treated with 40 kg N ha-1 (18.23%) and NLR 20104 rice cultivar treated with 40 kg N ha-1 (19.76%). Among the different cultivarscultivar, NLR 33892 cultivarhad produced significantly highest grain yield (5955 kg ha-1) may be for having higher physiological indices. The highest/optimum grain yield (5726 kg ha-1) produced by plots that received 120 kg N ha-1. Further increase in nitrogen level beyond 120 kg ha-1 did not significantly improve the grain yield. Optimal N rate was revealed to be 120 kg ha-1 for four rice cultivars for reducing the stem borer/leaffolder/gall midge incidence so as to minimize the cost of inputs for pest control measures and for achieving high grain yield.
 Conclusions: The incremental doses of nitrogen fertilizer significantly enhanced stem borer, leaffolder and gall midge infestation on rice, which further affects the grain yields.

Stem borer incidence in maize

Field experiment was conducted at Maize Research Centre, Rajendranagar by undertaking sowings at monthly intervals from January to December during two years 2013 and 2014. Observations on stemborer incidence was recorded at 45 DAG and subjected to analysis after angular transformation. June sown crop had lowest infestation of 2.83 per cent followed by December (3.35%) and May (3.69%) sown crops and all were significantly on par. Dead hearts were low in April, May and December sown crops i.e., 0.11 per cent, 0.15 per cent and 0.55 per cent, respectively and all were on par with each other. Highest per cent dead hearts were in Sep. sown crop (7.67%).

Pest and Diseases Control Using Synthetic and Botanical Pesticides on Several Wheat Varieties

The research was carried out to find out the effect of wheat varieties and types of pesticide to control the naturally occurred pests and diseases. The research was designed in a split plot experiment with three replications. The main plot was 3 botanical pesticides (eugenol+eugenol acetate+caryophillene, azadirachtin, citronellal) and 1 synthetic pesticide (dimehypo 550 g/l) and 1 control (distilled water). The subplot was 4 wheat varieties (Guri 1, Guri 3, Guri 4, and Guri 6). Twice application of botanical pesticides was carried out at 30 and 60 days after planting (DAP). Results showed that in both vegetative and generative stage, two main pests were found, namely: Atherigona sp. and stem borer Sesamia inferens. Shoot fly incidence occured before the application of pesticide treatments. The percentage of incidence ranged from 10.33% at Guri 1 to 35.00% at Guri 6. No interaction among the applied treatments was observed on the average percentage of stem borer incidence on both growth stages. The visibly found disease was leaf blotch disease caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana. All evaluated varieties were very susceptible to leaf blotch. The harvestable grain yield was very low due to the attacks of shoot fly, stem borer and also high incidence of leaf blotch.

Impact of push–pull cropping system on pest management and occurrence of ear rots and mycotoxin contamination of maize in western Kenya

AbstractPush–pull involves intercropping of cereals with Desmodium as a “push” crop and planting Napier grass/Brachiaria as the “pull” crop at the border. The technology has been reported to effectively control stemborers, striga weed, and fall armyworm (FAW), and to improve soil nutrition, resulting in increased grain yield. This study evaluated the impact of stemborer and FAW management using this technology on incidence of maize ear rots and preharvest contamination of grains with aflatoxin and fumonisin in western Kenya. The study was conducted during three cropping seasons on maize grown under the push–pull system and as a monocrop. Incidence of stemborer and FAW damage was determined as percentage of damaged plants, while incidence of ear rots was determined as percentage of ears with symptoms. At harvest, fungi were isolated from kernels and aflatoxin and fumonisin were quantified using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Stemborer and FAW damage was significantly (p = .001) reduced by over 50% under the push–pull system. There was also a significant (p < .001) reduction in the incidence of Fusarium verticillioides (60%) and Aspergillus flavus (86%), which was reflected in a reduced incidence of ear rots (50%) with the push–pull system (p = .001). Fumonisin in maize from push‐pull farms was significantly (p = .048) reduced (39%) but the technology had no significant (p > .05) effect on aflatoxin. The study showed that push–pull is an effective strategy for managing maize ear rots and fumonisins, and therefore could play a role in improving food safety among smallholder maize farmers in the region.

Effect of planting dates on stem borer incidence and its natural enemies in relation to weather variables in rice ecosystem

Effect of planting dates on stem borer incidence and its natural enemies in relation to weather variables in rice ecosystem

Efficacy of chlorantraniliprole 625g/L FS (Lumivia) for the management of stem borer and leaf folder in direct seeded rice

The major production constraint of rice in enhancing productivity is due to attack by pests. Rice stem borer and leaf folder are considered as economic pests and influence the yield if proper timely management practices are not adopted. In case of severe pest incidences the usage of insecticides is inevitable. Among various modes of application of insecticides, seed treatment is mostly advantageous as it is required in small amount and offers control of target pests and ensuing the establishment of healthy and vigorous plants. Hence, studies on efficacy pertaining to Chlorantraniliprole 625g/L FS (lumivia) at different concentrations along with check chemicals viz., cartap hydrochloride 4G and untreated control were evaluate at Agricultural Research Station, Vuyyuru during kharif, 2019 and rabi 2019-2020 to assess the efficacy of various test chemicals against stem borer and leaf folder infesting direct sown rice. The experimental trial was laid out with seven treatments that were replicated four times and treatments were imposed as seed dresser and broadcasted as direct sown rice. The data on per dead hearts and per cent leaf folder damaged leaves at 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 days after sowing were recorded for both rice variety (MTU 1061) and rice hybrid (28P67). The results revealed that, among various test chemicals the treatment T4 (Chlorantraniliprole 625g/L FS @ 90 g a.i./ha) had registered highest per cent reduction of stem borer with 76.71 & 68.60 in kharif and rabi seasons of study period for rice variety. With respect to rice hybrid the per cent reduction of stem borer incidence over control was 78.19 & 65.09 per cent in kharif and rabi, 2019-2020, respectively. Similarly, the leaf folder damaged leaves were also recorded least in T4 with 61.06 & 62.96 per cent reduction over control with respect to rice variety during kharif and rabi, 2019-2020, respectively, whereas the corresponding values for rice hybrid was 61.04 and 71.64 during kharif and rabi seasons, respectively. Hence, it can be concluded that chlorantraniliprole 625g/L FS @ 90 g a.i./ha@ (lumivia) is effective as seed dresser in suppressing stem borer and leaf folder in direct seeded rice with no phytotoxicity on rice crop and no adverse effects on natural enemies.

Impact of crop establishment methods on rice insect pests incidence in Indo Gangetic Plain (IGP)

Rice (Oryza sativa L.), is the staple food for more than half of the world population and an important target to secure food security and livelihoods for millions. The production of rice to mitigate the consumption requirement needs huge amount of water. Direct seeded rice (DSR) technique is becoming popular nowadays because of its lowinput demands and potential to maximize the water productivity under deficit soil moisture. Rice variety, Pusa 1121 is important variety in major rice growing areas of Indo Gangetic Plain that occupies more than 70% area. The population of planthoppers and stem borers were significantly higher and appeared early in direct seeding crop as compared with transplanted rice (TPR). The mean seasonal incidence of stem borers in 2014 were 9.58 and 5.29% in direct seeding whereas in 2015 it was 9.36 and 4.97%. The damage (white ears) was observed maximum on 42nd week in October. The result revealed that incidence of leaffolder was significantly higher in direct seeding than transplanting. The population/ incidence of pests showed positively significant correlation with biotic factors during the study. The grain yield in transplanting crop was also significantly higher than direct seeding. So, management practices in direct seeding should be practiced earlier as compared to transplanted rice to maximize yield by reducing pest population pressure for sustainable agriculture and to conserve natural resources.

Effect of silicic and salicylic acids on major insect pests and their natural enemies in rice

Field, pot culture and laboratory experiments were carried out to study the effect of foliar spraying of silicic and salicylic acids against major pests of rice through inducing resistance, and their natural enemies like spiders and mirids. In the field experiment, leaf feeders and sucking insects were found significantly reduced with basal application of rice husk ash 500 kg/ha + silica solubilizing bacteria (SSB) @ 2 kg/ha with foliar spraying of silicic acid 0.5%. This was followed by basal application of calcium silicate 50 kg/ha with foliar application of silicic acid 0.5%. Similarly, significantly less stem borer incidence was observed with basal application of rice husk ash 500 kg/ha + SSB 2 kg/ha with foliar spraying of silicic acid 0.5%. Spiders and mirids were significantly less with basal application of calcium silicate 50 kg/ha along with foliar application of silicic acid 0.5%. In short, significantly reduced damage by the leaf folder, stem borer and gall midge besides reduction in the population of brown plant hopper (BPH), spiny beetle, ear head bug and increased natural enemies were observed with basal application of rice husk ash 500 kg/ha + SSB 2kg/ha and foliar spraying of silicic acid 0.5%. Basal application of calcium silicate 50 kg/ha with foliar application of silicic acid 0.5% was the next best. Correlations with inferences on the biology of BPH, leaf folder and biophysical factors (silicified cells and leaf erectness and biochemical factors viz., peroxidase content and silica content) corroborated their efficacy.

Environmental influences on stem borer incidence in Australian subtropical Corymbia plantations

Population dynamics of forest insect pests are a key determinant of forest health globally, but there is often insufficient information on tree susceptibility and environmental drivers of attack to construct pest population models that inform management. We investigated susceptibility of Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegata (spotted gum) plantations to two stem borer families (Cerambycidae, Cossidae) for which the drivers of attack are largely unknown. We surveyed 20 plantations for borer incidence (proportion of trees attacked), severity (number of attacks/attacked tree) and height and collected environmental variables in six categories (site characteristics, physical soil characteristics, foliar nutrition, landscape structure, climate and management). Most attacks on tree stems were associated with the cerambycid beetle Phoracantha solida, which were positively related to secondary attack from the cossid moth Culama australis. Mean incidence of borer attack was 3.5% and highly variable across plantations (0–22%). Phoracantha solida incidence was highly correlated with severity at a plantation scale. Relative tree diameter was the most important associate of P. solida attack incidence; proportionately larger diameter trees were more likely to be attacked where no thinning had occurred. Foliar nutrients, specifically lower concentrations of potassium, iron and nitrogen, were associated with higher P. solida attack incidence. We suggest that measuring incidence can be used as a proxy for severity of P. solida-associated damage at a plantation scale in operational pest surveillance. The results indicate that thinning may reduce the occurrence of proportionately larger diameter trees being attacked. We also recommend further research to determine the effectiveness of adding fertiliser to remediate sites that are deficient in potassium, nitrogen and iron.