Volatile Profile Differences and the Associated Sirex noctilio Activity in Two Host Tree Species in the Northeastern United States

The European woodwasp, Sirex noctilio F., is a pest of pines in many areas around the world. Since its introduction to North America, the distribution of S. noctilio overlaps with a known host (Pinus sylvestris) and hosts native to North America. Direct comparisons of suitability for oviposition and larval survival among these pines have not been made. We tested the relative suitability of four common pine species in northeastern North America (P. sylvestris, P. resinosa, P. banksiana, and P. strobus) as hosts for S. noctilio in a controlled, but in situ experiment. In a mixed pine forest in northern Ontario, we caged S. noctilio mating pairs on 10 freshly cut pine logs of each species, and estimated oviposition, counted adult S. noctilio (F1 generation) that emerged from logs, and calculated survivorship from egg to adult. Pinus sylvestris and P. resinosa were optimal hosts according to all three metrics of S. noctilio performance. Pinus strobus was a suitable larval host, but was not perceived as such by females, as evidenced by lower oviposition. Pinus banksiana was perceived as a suitable host by females, but was the least suitable larval host. Our results suggest that P. sylvestris and P. resinosa are more suitable hosts, at least in cut logs, than P. strobus and P. banksiana for S. noctilio in eastern North America.

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“…Böröczky et al [14] found that a P . sylvestris chemotype with high amounts of the volatile carene was more attractive to female S .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Volatiles (α- and β-pinene, carene, and others) emitted by stressed pines attract female S . noctilio [12–14]. The female first assesses the bark with her antennae, then probes and eventually drills into the bark with her ovipositor [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suitability of eastern pines for oviposition and survival of Sirex noctilio F.

2017

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“…Underlying mechanisms determining host susceptibility and preference are not well known for siricids, but may be related to species‐level differences in host tree chemistry (Böröczky et al ., ), growth rates of A. areolatum , or co‐colonisation patterns by native insects. Components of these interactions are likely reliant on phylogenetic relationships (both insect–plant and insect–fungus–plant) that directly or indirectly affect insect performance (Gripenberg et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beneath the bark: associations among Sirex noctilio development, bluestain fungi, and pine host species in North America

Foelker

2016

Ecological Entomology

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1. Invasive species with global distributions encounter unique environmental and biotic variables that can greatly affect the magnitude of their impact. The European woodwasp, Sirex noctilio Fabricius, is a prime example that has invaded climatically and ecologically distinct ecosystems across the Southern Hemisphere and, more recently, North America. 2. Northeastern North America presents a unique set of conditions, including pine host species, native parasitoids, a diverse assemblage of native co‐colonising insects, and fungal associates of these co‐colonisers. In North America, S. noctilio attacks both a naturalised ancestral host (Pinus sylvestris L.) from Europe and a naïve native host (P. resinosa). A large assemblage of insects and their associated bluestaining ophiostomatoid fungi colonise these pines. Competition between S. noctilio and this group is a hypothesised mechanism of biotic resistance in the invaded region of North America, possibly via superior resource capture abilities or alteration of host tissue by bluestain fungi. 3. Investigating these ecological interactions is challenging because they manifest deep in the xylem tissue. To overcome this, 30 experimentally stressed trees were systematically dissected with an electric log splitter to investigate the effects of bluestain fungi and tree factors on S. noctilio development and parasitism by native hymenopterans. 4. Body size and colonisation density were affected by pine species, with S. noctilio being 25% larger and densities three‐fold greater in P. sylvestris than P. resinosa. Survivorship was slightly negatively correlated with the proportional volume of bluestain infection. Interestingly, rhyssine (Rhyssa and Megarhyssa spp.) parasitism responded positively to greater S. noctilio density, but there was no density relationship with Ibalia leucospoides ensiger parasitism. Pine host species appears to play a strong role in S. noctilio development, which is important considering uninvaded regions of North America have a diversity of pine species that likely vary in their susceptibility to this woodborer.

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“…For example, the sawfly Neodiprion annulus Schedl tended to oviposit in its natural American pines over P. sylvestris from Europe [74] and stands of native P. pinaster in Galicia experienced more colonization by more species of stem-boring insects than the non-indigenous P. radiata [54]. Attraction of S. noctilio to P. sylvestris is partly related to host volatiles [75], which is consistent with higher trap captures of adult S. noctilio in stands of P. sylvestris than P. resinosa [16]. P. resinosa , at least when they are dying, seem to be as suitable for S. noctilio larvae as P. sylvestris because trap trees of the two species produced comparable numbers of emerging S. noctilio adults [16].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host Use Patterns by the European Woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, in Its Native and Invaded Range

et al. 2014

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Accelerating introductions of forest insects challenge decision-makers who might or might not respond with surveillance programs, quarantines, eradication efforts, or biological control programs. Comparing ecological controls on indigenous vs. introduced populations could inform responses to new introductions. We studied the European woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, which is not a pest in its native forests, is a serious invasive pest in the southern hemisphere, and now has an uncertain future in North America after its introduction there. Indigenous populations of S. noctilio (in Galicia, Spain) resembled those in New York in that S. noctilio were largely restricted to suppressed trees that were also dying for other reasons, and still only some dying trees showed evidence of S. noctilio: 20–40% and 35–51% in Galicia and New York, respectively. In both areas, P. sylvestris (native to Europe) was the species most likely to have attacks in non-suppressed trees. P. resinosa, native to North America, does not appear dangerously susceptible to S. noctilio. P. radiata, which sustains high damage in the southern hemisphere, is apparently not innately susceptible because in Galicia it was less often used by native S. noctilio than either native pine (P. pinaster and P. sylvestris). Silvicultural practices in Galicia that maintain basal area at 25–40 m2/ha limit S. noctilio abundance. More than 25 species of other xylophagous insects feed on pine in Galicia, but co-occurrences with S. noctilio were infrequent, so strong interspecific competition seemed unlikely. Evidently, S. noctilio in northeastern North America will be more similar to indigenous populations in Europe, where it is not a pest, than to introduced populations in the southern hemisphere, where it is. However, S. noctilio populations could behave differently when they reach forests of the southeastern U.S., where tree species, soils, climate, ecology, management, and landscape configurations of pine stands are different.

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Volatile Profile Differences and the Associated Sirex noctilio Activity in Two Host Tree Species in the Northeastern United States

Cited by 30 publications

References 25 publications

Suitability of eastern pines for oviposition and survival of Sirex noctilio F.

Suitability of eastern pines for oviposition and survival of Sirex noctilio F.

Beneath the bark: associations among Sirex noctilio development, bluestain fungi, and pine host species in North America

Host Use Patterns by the European Woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, in Its Native and Invaded Range

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