Phosphine as a fumigant to control <i>Hylastes ater</i> and <i>Arhopalus ferus</i> pests of export logs

Abstract

The black pine bark beetle (Hylastes ater) and the burnt pine longhorn beetle (Arhopalus ferus) are major insect pests of Pinus radiata in New Zealand and are currently listed as undesirable on imported P. radiata logs from New Zealand by AQISQ, the Chinese quarantine authorities. Any discoveries of these pests could endanger one of the most important export markets for New Zealand logs. Experiments were carried out to examine the efficacy of the non ozone-depleting fumigant phosphine for eliminating these two pests from P. radiata logs at egg, larva and adult life stages. Direct exposure to phosphine at levels as low as 200 ppm for up to 10 days has disinfested the three life stages of both pests. Phosphine has the potential to control both pests in export logs before they arrive in the other countries and may be a replacement fumigant for the ozonedepleting methyl bromide.

Preliminary trials of the ethanedinitrile fumigation of logs for eradication ofBursaphelenchus xylophilusand its vector insectMonochamus alternatus

“…Phosphine, which is broadly used on grains in silos and for structural fumigation, seems to be a better option than other compounds in terms of timber penetration properties . It has also shown good efficacy when used to eliminate wood pests in logs . However, compared with methyl bromide and the other alternatives, the fumigation time required is longer and efficacy is inconsistent when used at low temperature…”

Use of sulfuryl fluoride as an alternative fumigant to methyl bromide in export log fumigation

“…Alternatives to methyl bromide are sought for forest product fumigation, so efforts have been made in New Zealand over the past few years to find an alternative. Phosphine has been suggested as one alternative (Zhang et al 2004), but this fumigant is not known to have fungicidal potential and may not be effective against fungal growth during storage and shipping.…”

Feeding behaviour of the black pine beetle, Hylastes ater (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

“…Hylastes ater (F.), the black pine beetle, is one such pest, which the Chinese quarantine authorities currently list as undesirable on imported Pinus radiata (D.Don.) logs from New Zealand (Zhang et al , 2004). In the U.K., it has been recognized as a pest from the 1920s onward (Anonymous, 1924; Stoakley, 1968).…”

“…In the U.K., it has been recognized as a pest from the 1920s onward (Anonymous, 1924; Stoakley, 1968). European in origin, it still remains a pest both in Europe and the U.K., but is now a serious pest in the P. radiata forests of New Zealand, where is was first discovered in 1929 (Reay et al , 2002; Zhang et al , 2004). More recently, the increased number of sites being planted, the reduced number of trees at each site and the reduction in the fallow time between harvesting and replanting have all led to bigger losses as a result of this beetle (Reay & Walsh, 2002a).…”

“…Antifeedant research for H. abietis (Mansson & Schlyter, 2004) could also be applied to Hylastes species. In addition to this, Carbosulfan appears to be effective (Reay & Walsh, 2002a) and the use of phosphine as a fumigant on export logs might well replace the less desirable methyl bromide (Zhang et al , 2004).…”