Population ecology of S. noctilio and its biological control agents

CORLEY, J.C.; LANTSCHNER, M.V.,; FISCHBEIN, D., BERNSTEIN C.; CORLEY J.; VILLACIDE, J.M; MARTINEZ, A.; MASCIOCCHI, M.; VILLACIDE, J.; DANERI, L.; CORLEY, J.; HUERTA, G.

Orlando

Congreso; International Congress of Entomology; 2016

Entomological Society of America

In several regions of the Southern Hemisphere, the non-native woodwasp Sirex noctilio is allegedly the most important pest of (the also non-native) pines. The species is present attacking many planted pine species in climatically different regions, although it is during population outbreaks that notorious harm to plantations may occur. Because of this, much work has focused on the biology of S. noctilio, in the ultimate attempt to achieve pest suppression through the introduction of parasitoids and an entomophagous nematode. However, as population growth is central to S.noctilio damage and also strongly influences geographical spread of this invasive forest insect, knowledge on the ecological drivers of local and regional population dynamics is essential to successful pest management. By reviewing certain elements of individual and population behavior of S. noctilio obtained in NW Patagonia (Argentina), we pretend to contribute to outlining why this woodwasp is effective and harmful in a large part of the invaded range and how this has affected successful bio-control practices. We focus on female dispersal (and aggregation), reproduction and development patterns and how these may be affected by the local environment (i.e.: host abundance, location and distribution; short term extreme climatic events) and suggest why outbreaks may occur. Finally we analyze the role of natural enemies in this equation. Together, our results try to reinforce the importance of research on the population dynamics of invasive insects to help improve our abilities to manage outbreaks in forest systems.