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Sirex woodwasp range expansion in Australia: performance and parasitism on two commercial pine species

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Nahrung, H.F., Ramsden, M. and Griffiths, M.W. (2016) Sirex woodwasp range expansion in Australia: performance and parasitism on two commercial pine species. Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research, 89 (3). pp. 310-315.

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Article Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpv039

Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/forestry/article/89/3/310/1749172

Abstract

Sirex woodwasp was detected in Queensland in 2009 and rapidly established in softwood plantations (Pinus radiata and P. taeda) in southern border regions. Biocontrol inoculations of Deladenus siricidicola began soon after, and adults were monitored to assess the success of the programme. Wasp size, sex ratios, emergence phenology and nematode parasitism rates were recorded, along with the assessment of wild-caught females. Patterns varied within and among seasons, but overall, P. taeda appeared to be a less suitable host than P. radiata, producing smaller adults, lower fat body content and fewer females. Sirex emerging from P. taeda also showed lower levels of nematode parasitism, possibly due to interactions with the more abundant blue-stain fungus in this host. Sirex adults generally emerged between November and March, with distinct peaks in January and March, separated by a marked drop in emergence in early February. Temperature provided the best correlate of seasonal emergence, with fortnights with higher mean minimum temperatures having higher numbers of Sirex emerging. This has implications for the anticipated northward spread of Sirex into sub-tropical coastal plantation regions. Following four seasons of inundative release of nematodes in Queensland, parasitism rates remain low and have resulted in only partial sterilization of infected females.

Item Type:Article
Business groups:Horticulture and Forestry Science
Subjects:Science > Entomology
Science > Invasive Species > Plants
Science > Zoology > Invertebrates > Insects
Forestry > Research. Experimentation
Live Archive:09 Feb 2016 02:30
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:44

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