Dendrocopos Syriacus Research Articles

Natural control of the eucalyptus borer, Phoracantha semipunctata (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), by the Syrian woodpecker

AbstractScreened and unscreened eucalyptus trap-logs infested by Phoracantha semipunctata (F.) were used to examine the excavating habits of the Syrian woodpecker (Picoides syriacus), its annual course of predation and its effect on the survival rate of Phoracantha semipunctata larvae in Israel. The bird excavated predation holes only in trap-logs with larvae within the bark. Predation holes density increased during the spring and summer. Towards the autumn, egg-masses were killed too. The average mortality due to predation was 29·21% of total larval mortality and 78·7% among larvae that survived intraspecific competition. The mortality caused by the woodpecker decreased with increasing density of larvae. The natural control of P. semipunctata in Israel and the borer-woodpecker ecosystem are discussed.

Damage by vertebrates to plastic irrigation pipes in Israel

Plastic irrigation pipes are damaged in Israel by vertebrates — both mammals and birds — of the following species: Aves: Piciformes, Picidae —Dendrocopos syriacus. Mammalia: Rodentia —Mus musculus, Rattus rattus alexandrinus, Nesokia indica, Spalax ehrenbergi, andHystrix indica; Carnivora: Canidae —Canis familiaris, C. aureus, andVulpes vulpes; Mustelidae —Meles meles; Viveridae —Herpestes ichneumon; Artiodactyla, Suiformes: Suidae —Sus scrofa. It is assumed that the reasons these vertebrates attack and damage the pipes are the excitement regulation mechanism; the habit of gnawing or pecking; playing; and a search for drinking water.

Distribution and characteristics of the damage of the Syrian woodpecker,Dendrocopos syriacus (HEMP. & EHR.) (Aves: picidae), in polyethylene irrigation pipes in fruit orchards

The Syrian woodpecker,Dendrocopos syriacus (Hemp. & Ehr.), was found to attack black polyethylene pipes of both sprinkler and drip irrigation systems in Israel. Nut crops and deciduous fruits are preferred by the woodpecker, and trees infested by boring insects are favored. Damage to pipes is frequent in plots of avocado, citrus and grapevine bordered by rows of windbreakers, with the pipes near the windbreaker being the most severely attacked. In orchards without windbreakers the distribution of damage seems to be random, or concentrated near trees infected by boring insects, or near other attractive objects (e.g. electric poles).

Food acquisition and competition of the Syrian Woodpecker, Picoides syriacus

The Syrian Woodpecker, Picoides syriacus, acquires its food by excavating, probing, gleaning and fly-catching (Fig. 1). The food-acquisition is carried out from ground level to the crown layer of trees and beyond (Fig. 2).In an ecological sense the Syrian Woodpecker occupies an intermediate position between the Great Spotted and the Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Picoides major and medius). That is true for food-acquisition since it excavates more than medius and less than major whilst probing more than major and less than medius. The species is also intermediate in the choise of base from which foraging is done. Great Spotted Woodpeckers are found frequently on thin twigs and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers on thick stems.Between Great Spotted and Syrian Woodpecker there exist interspecific territoriality. Both are neutral with respect to the Middle Spotted Woodpecker. In spite of strong competition for nesting holes and frequent aggression the territories of Syrian Woodpecker and Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) overlap. These findings are discussed.