Journal article
Environmental influences on stem borer incidence in Australian subtropical Corymbia plantations
Journal of Pest Science, Vol.92(2), pp.579-593
2019
Abstract
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.
Details
- Title
- Environmental influences on stem borer incidence in Australian subtropical Corymbia plantations
- Authors
- Valerie Debuse (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and LawTim E Smith (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and LawChris T Holloway (Author) - Department of Agriculture and FisheriesAaron Wiegand (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringHelen F Nahrung (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and LawSimon A Lawson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
- Publication details
- Journal of Pest Science, Vol.92(2), pp.579-593
- Publisher
- Springer
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10340-018-01069-2
- ISSN
- 1612-4758
- Organisation Unit
- Forest Research Institute; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; Forest Industries Research Centre; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life; Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450775702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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