Biology, incidence and host susceptibility ofPineus boerneri(Hemiptera: Adelgidae) in Colombian pine plantations

Abstract

Adelgids (Hemiptera) in the genus Pineus have been reported as introduced insect pests causing serious losses to Pinus plantations worldwide. In 2008, Pineus boerneri was recorded for the first time in Colombia, with infestations noted on Pinus kesiya, P. tecunumanii, P. maximinoi and P. oocarpa. The lack of information on this insect in Colombia prompted investigations of its life cycle and infestation levels as well as host susceptibility of the main Pinus species planted in Colombia. In addition, the possibility of using a Ceraeochrysa species, an already established predator of adelgids in Colombia, for biological control was considered. Results showed that Pineus boerneri in Colombia has an anholocyclic life cycle comprised of four instars with a complete duration of between 49 and 97 d. Infestations were higher in the middle and upper part of trees. Pinus kesiya and P. maximinoi had the highest levels of susceptibility in field as well as in greenhouse trials. A survey of naturally infested trees showed P. tecunumanii to be moderately susceptible, whereas P. patula and P. oocarpa had low levels of susceptibility in a greenhouse trial but were not susceptible in the field. Investigations considering the impact of predation of Ceraeochrysa species showed a high predation rate of up to 140 P. boerneri consumed per day by a single Ceraeochrysa individual. Other predators of P. boerneri were recorded but were not sufficiently common to warrant detailed study.

Inventory of insect pests and pathogens present in a cashew crop <i>Anacardium occidentale </i>L. in Caribia research center, zona bananera, Magdalena

“…En Colombia se reportó por primera vez en 2008, en el Valle del Cauca para Pinus kesiya de 2,5 años de edad, posteriormente en los departamentos del Cauca, Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda y Antioquia (Rodas et al, 2015).…”

“…En Colombia se han registrado con alta susceptibilidad al insecto P. kesiya seguido por P. maximinoi; exhiben una alta tolerancia P. patula, P. oocarpa y P. tecunumanii (Rodas et al, 2015).…”

“…La evaluación de niveles de infestación natural de P. boerneri en diferentes especies, mostraron porcentajes de 88.3% para P. kesiya, 67.4% para P. maximinoi y 8.9 % para P. tecunumanii. Las especies de P. patula y P. oocarpa no presentaron niveles de infestación natural por el insecto (Rodas et al, 2015).…”

“…y Ceraeochrysa sp. registrando este último, el más alto número de P. boerneri predados por día de 142 (45 huevos, 47 ninfas y 50 adultos) (Rodas et al, 2015).…”