Book chapter
Classical Biological Control of Bark and Wood Borers in Pinus Plantations
Biological Control of Insect Pests in Plantation Forests, pp.321-337
Springer Nature
2025
Abstract
Bark and wood boring insects, such as bark beetles, longhorn beetles, jewel beetles, and woodwasps, are major pests in pine forests globally, causing significant tree mortality and productivity loss. The spread of Pinus species for forestry has facilitated these pests’ movement to new regions. The impracticality, feasibility and sustainability issues associated with traditional chemical control methods has prompted a shift towards ecofriendly biological control measures. This chapter reviews three biological control case studies in pine plantations: Sirex noctilio, Ips grandicollis, and Orthotomicus erosus. Sirex noctilio, a destructive woodwasp, has been managed in the southern hemisphere using parasitoid wasps and the parasitic nematode Deladenus siricidicola. Despite occasional large outbreaks, intensive biological control efforts and silvicultural interventions have effectively controlled its populations. Ips grandicollis, a secondary pest in Australian pine plantations, was targeted by a national biological control program. The successful establishment of two parasitoid species, Roptrocerus xylophagorum and Dendrosoter sulcatus, has contributed to managing this pest to some extent. Orthotomicus erosus, introduced to South Africa, has been managed by releasing parasitoids, particularly Dendrosoter caenopachoides, which established in the southwestern Cape and demonstrated effective parasitism rates. These cases demonstrate the potential of biological control in sustainable forest pest management. Successful programs require collaborative efforts, the introduction of diverse control agents, continuous monitoring and adaptive strategies to address bark and wood boring pest management amidst evolving environmental scenarios and forest pest dynamics.
Details
- Title
- Classical Biological Control of Bark and Wood Borers in Pinus Plantations
- Authors
- Praneet Goundar (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research InstituteBernard Slippers - University of PretoriaBrett P. Hurley - University of PretoriaSimon A. Lawson - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Industries Research Centre
- Contributors
- Brett P Hurley (Editor) - University of PretoriaSimon Lawson (Editor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Industries Research CentreBernard Slippers (Editor) - University of Pretoria
- Publication details
- Biological Control of Insect Pests in Plantation Forests, pp.321-337
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1007/978-3-031-76495-0_13; 10.1007/978-3-031-76495-0
- ISBN
- 9783031764950
- Organisation Unit
- Forest Industries Research Centre; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Forest Research Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991128806102621
- Output Type
- Book chapter
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