Damage by pine weevil Hylobius abietis to conifer seedlings after shelterwood removal

Abstract

Pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L.) damage to seedlings after overstorey removal was investigated in a survey study in six shelterwoods in the south–central part of Sweden. The shelterwoods predominantly consisted of Scots pine, except at one site where the shelter trees mainly consisted of Norway spruce. Before final cutting, 10 plots were laid out at each site and measurements of shelter trees and marked seedlings were taken. The seedlings were examined during the 2 years after final cutting. The study showed that removal of shelter trees increases the risk of severe damage by pine weevil and the variable that was most strongly correlated with the risk was the seedling root collar diameter. Both Scots pine and Norway spruce seedlings were severely damaged by pine weevil, and most of the feeding occurred during the first year after cutting. The amount of debarked area was significantly larger for Scots pine than for Norway spruce seedlings. Vitality (growth of the leading shoot before final cutting) of the seedlings also affected the probability of damage. Seedlings with high vitality were less damaged by pine weevil than seedlings with low vitality. For Scots pine the shelterwood density before final cutting was correlated to the intensity of pine weevil feeding after cutting. In conclusion, after the final cutting of a pine or spruce shelterwood, pine weevils will probably invade the area. To avoid serious damage, Norway spruce and Scots pine seedlings should have reached a diameter of at least 10–12 mm.     

Variation in damage by terminal shoot insects among jack pine families

The susceptibility of jack pine, Pinus banksiana Lamb., to damage by the white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi (Peck) and the eastern pine shoot borer, Eucosma gloriola Heinrich, was examined over a three-year period (1994–1996) in a 400-family genetic test near New Liskeard, Ontario. Of the 7180 trees examined, white pine weevil damaged 1041 and eastern pine shoot borer damaged 1913 trees, yielding damage frequencies of 14.5% and 26.6%, respectively. Thirty families of jack pine never sustained weevil damage during the study period, while only one family escaped damage by the shoot borer. The expected, and observed, damage rates were significantly different for the weevil, but not for the shoot borer. There was no discernible spatial pattern in the incidence of shoot damage by either insect species, based on the geographic location of the parent trees. The data suggest that there is a basis for pursuing further studies to evaluate genetic resistance in tree improvement programs.     

Persistence of deltamethrin against Hylobius abietis on Norway spruce seedlings

Abstract

The pine weevil Hylobius abietis L. is major threat to forest regeneration in the Nordic countries. The persistence of the deltamethrin insecticide used against pine weevil on Norway spruce seedlings was studied after the seedlings were dipped or sprayed. Insecticide application was timed to occur either before or after frozen storage. Bioassays with the stems of Norway spruce seedlings were used to determine the effect of the insecticide against feeding by the pine weevil. The measures of the control effect were reduction in area of gnawed bark and the state of health of the pine weevils. The concentration of deltamethrin decreased rapidly in seedlings, especially after spraying treatment, which did not efficiently protect seedlings against the pine weevil 6 weeks after planting. There were no signs of degradation of deltamethrin or of an effect on seedling height after frozen storage. In bioassay, the amount of deltamethrin that efficiently prevented feeding by the pine weevil was 5.5 µg g^?1 fresh weight. After one growing season in the field, about 1.76–2.24 µg g^?1 (13–15% of the initial level) of dipped deltamethrin remained in the seedlings. In seedlings treated by spraying, 0.93–0.98 µg g^?1 (7–8% of the initial level) of the deltamethrin remained. According to bioassays, these amounts were no longer sufficient to protect seedlings from feeding by the pine weevil. Therefore, in the first summer, dipping was a significantly more efficient method of application for control of pine weevils.     

Water relations and morphological development of bare-root jack pine and white spruce seedlings: seedling establishment on a boreal cut-over site

Bare-root jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings were planted on a boreal cut-over site and subsequent growth and seedling water relation patterns were monitored over the first growing season. Comparison of morphological development between white spruce and jack pine showed jack pine seedlings had greater new root development and a lower new shoot/new root ratio, while white spruce seedlings had greater new shoot development. Seasonal water relation patterns showed white spruce seedlings to have a greater decrease in xylem pressure potential (_x) per unit increase in transpirational flux density in comparison to jack pine seedlings. These results suggest that the greater resistance to water flow through the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum in white spruce seedlings compared to jack pine seedlings may be due to the relative lack of new root development in white spruce. Stomatal response of the seedlings showed that as absolute humidity deficit between the needles and air (AHD) increased, needle conductance (gwv) decreased in both species, but at low AHD levels white spruce had gwv approximately 35% higher than jack pine. For white spruce seedlings, gwv decreased as _x became more negative in a predictable curvilinear manner, while gwv of jack pine seedlings responded to _x with a threshold closure phenomenon at approximately - 1.75 MPa. Tissue water potential components for jack pine and white spruce seedlings at the beginning and end of the growing season showed jack pine to reach turgor loss at 76% relative water content while white spruce reached turgor loss at 88% relative water content. White spruce seedlings showed osmotic adjustment over the growing season, with an osmotic potential at turgor loss of - 1.27 MPa and - 1.92 MPa at the beginning and end of the growing season, respectively. Jack pine did not show any osmotic adjustment over the growing season. The implication of morphological development on water relation patterns are discussed with reference to successful seedling establishment.     

Pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) damage to cuttings and seedlings of Norway spruce

Damage caused by pine weevil (Hylobius abietus L.) to planted seedlings and cuttings of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) was studied at five clearcut sites in south-eastern Sweden. The main objective was to compare the two types of stock in terms of attack frequency and mortality due to pine weevil feeding. Cuttings and seedlings with the same initial stem-base diameter (4 mm) were compared. Two sites were harvested and scarified shortly before planting, two were harvested shortly before planting, but were not scarified, and one was harvested 2 years before and scarified the autumn before planting. The total mortality 5 years after planting was highest, greater than 90%, at the new, non-scarified sites, and lowest, 23%, at the old, scarified site. More than 90% of the mortality was caused by pine weevil feeding. Attack frequency and pine weevil induced mortality were significantly higher among seedlings than among cuttings. Mortality due to pine weevil damage was 4–43% higher in seedlings than in cuttings after the fifth year. Of the cuttings and seedlings that were attacked in the first year, a significantly higher frequency of the seedlings were girdled. The higher resistance of cuttings to pine weevil damage may partly explain the more rapid growth of cuttings reported in other studies. However, the causes of their higher resistance need to be further investigated. The thicker bark and needles on the stem base of the cuttings could be important in this respect.     

Changes in volatile terpene and diterpene resin acid composition of resistant and susceptible white spruce leaders exposed to simulated white pine weevil damage

Induced (traumatic) resin in white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) leaders resistant or susceptible to the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi Peck) was analyzed for volatile terpenes and diterpene resin acids after simulated white pine weevil damage. Leaders from 331 trees were wounded just below the apical bud with a 1-mm diameter drill, coinciding with the natural time of weevil oviposition in the spring. Leaders were removed in the fall, and the bark and xylem from the upper and lower regions of the leader extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography. Unwounded trees had low amounts of resin in xylem compared with bark. In response to wounding, volatile terpenes and diterpene resin acids increased in the upper xylem (area of wounding), with resistant trees showing a greater increase than susceptible trees. Wounding caused monoterpenes in particular to decrease in the lower region of the leader (away from the drilled area) in greater amounts in susceptible trees than in resistant trees. In response to wounding, the proportion of monoterpene to resin acid increased in the upper and lower xylem of resistant trees, and slightly increased in the upper xylem of susceptible trees. Monoterpene-enriched resin is more fluid than constitutive resin, and probably flows more readily into oviposition cavities and larval mines, where it may kill immature weevils. Loss of resin components in the lower xylem suggested catabolism and transport of these materials to the site of wounding; however, energetic and regulatory data are necessary to confirm this hypothesis. This study provides a basis for measuring the ability of a tree to undergo traumatic resinosis that could be used to screen for resistance to white pine weevil.     

Risk Perception Among Non-industrial Private Forest Owners

Based on an enquiry, risk perception among non-industrial private forest owners is described in relation to climate change and forestry hazards. Of the respondents, 11% took action to remedy the effects of climate change. Out of a given set, hazards were ranked according to each respondent's experience of recent substantial financial loss to the estate and in relation to his or her willingness to make investments aimed at risk reduction. For each hazard, the respondent assessed the risk in four classes ranging from very high to negligible risk. Six hazards were considered most problematic in all three aspects: browsing damage, falling timber prices, damage by wind, spruce bark beetle, root rot and pine weevil. A majority of the respondents claimed to take action to reduce the risk associated with at least one hazard, while 35% did not know whether they did. Excluding climate change, the need for decision support was the largest in relation to damage by wind owing to a combination of perceived high risk and a high level of ignorance in relation to whether risk-reducing measures were taken.     

Temporal patterns of seedling mortality by pine weevils (Hylobius abietis) after prescribed burning in northern Sweden

Damage by the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis (L.), is a major threat to conifer plantations throughout Eurasia, but damage is usually less severe in northern areas. However, pine weevil damage seems to increase if the sites are burnt. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of variations in the time of planting (with respect to the total age of the clear-cut and the time since burning) on pine weevil damage to seedlings on burnt sites in northern Sweden. The study also explored whether there is an optimal time for planting at which damage levels are reduced to acceptable levels. Ten sites were selected in an inland area of northern Sweden where pine weevils are normally scarce. The sites were dry–mesic and represented a range of times since clear-cutting and since burning. The sites were planted in June 1998, 1999 and 2000 with 1-year-old container-grown seedlings of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.]. Pine weevil damage was reduced if planting was done no earlier than 3 years after clear-cutting and no earlier than 2 years after burning. Planting too soon after burning, irrespective of the age of the clear-cut, resulted in unacceptably high damage levels.     

Comparison of different site preparation techniques: quality of planting spots,seedling growth and pine weevil damage

In northern Europe, there are high risks of severe pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) damage to newly planted conifer seedlings. Site preparation is one of the most important measures for reducing these risks and as several studies have shown the damage is highly dependent on the amount of pure mineral soil around the seedlings. We investigated effects of three site preparation techniques: (1) disc trenching with a conventional Bracke T26, (2) MidiFlex unit and (3) soil inversion with a Karl Oskar unit on characteristics of the planting spots, growth and pine weevil damage and survival rates of untreated and insecticide treated planted Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings. All three site preparation techniques reduced pine weevil damage in comparison with no site preparation, and the proportion of spots with pure mineral soil they created was inversely related to the rate of mortality caused by pine weevil. The results indicate that the quality of the planting spots depends on the technique used. In areas where pine weevil is the major threat to seedling survival, the amount of mineral soil in the planting spots is the most important factor in order to protect the seedling from damage. Without site preparation most planting spots consisted of undisturbed humus. Generally, the Karl-Oskar created the most spots with pure mineral soil, but on very stony soils the Bracke T26 created more mineral soil spots than other methods. Site preparation is a valuable tool in order to improve survival in regeneration areas and it is of great importance to make the right choice of technique depending on the particular circumstances on the actual site.     

Effects of silicon-rich soil amendments on growth,mortality and bark feeding damage of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) seedlings under field conditions

Alternative methods of protection are required against feeding by the large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) on the bark of conifer seedlings. Silicon (Si) has been shown to enhance the resistance of plants to insect herbivores. This study investigated the effects of low doses of Si-rich soil amendments on growth, mortality and bark feeding damage of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) seedlings. Two-year old seedlings were grown, individually, in soil taken from a tree nursery treated with coal ash, peat ash, rice husk ash, slag, sodium metasilicate or a commercially available Si fertiliser (Pro-Tekt) and planted out on two reforestation sites in Ireland. Seedlings grew well (about 20% growth in terms of height, 66% in root collar diameter, after two growing seasons), and Si-rich amendments did not have a significant effect on growth or mortality. Bark feeding damage on Si-treated seedlings did not vary significantly from control seedlings. Bark Si concentrations were not significantly larger in treated seedlings than in control seedlings, but control seedlings already had comparatively high bark Si concentrations (560?mg?kg^?1 dry tissue). In conclusion, Sitka spruce seedlings grown in the presence of Si-rich soil amendments prior to planting did not show greater resistance to weevil feeding under the present conditions.     

Influence of Stem Diameter on the Survival and Growth of Containerized Norway Spruce Seedlings Attacked by Pine Weevils (Hylobius spp.)

Pine weevils (Hylobius spp.) feeding on stem bark of young conifer seedlings pose a serious threat to forest regeneration-planting programmes in Nordic countries. This study was designed to determine the threshold diameter for planted, untreated containerized seedlings, above which pine weevils cause little or no damage. The effects of sublethal weevil damage on seedling growth were also assessed. In total, 5320 containerized spruce seedlings were planted on scarified and unscarified plots on three sites in southern Sweden. Seedlings in six size classes, which differed with regard to age (1.5-3.5 yrs) and cultivation density (28-446 seedlings m 2) were grown using the Combicell system. None of the seedlings was treated with insecticides, except for those in the smallest class, where both untreated and treated seedlings were used. Inspections were made periodically during the first 3 yrs and after both 5 and 7 yrs. A statistically significant relationship was found between seedling losses due to pine weevil attack and seedling stem-base diameter at the time of planting out, on both scarified and unscarified plots. For seedlings with a stem-base diameter of around 10 mm, mortality due to pine weevil attack on scarified plots was low enough to be considered negligible. This threshold diameter was several millimetres greater for seedlings planted on unscarified plots. An analysis of the relationship between the extent of weevil damage and seedling growth rate showed that among surviving seedlings, those that grew fast tended to show low levels of damage. On unscarified plots, the mortality rate amongst seedlings treated once with a permethrin insecticide was only one-third that of untreated seedlings. On scarified plots, the corresponding difference was somewhat smaller. Repeated insecticide treatment resulted in a pronounced reduction in seedling mortality on the unscarified plots, whereas the effect was weaker on scarified plots.     

Role of monoterpenes in Hylobius abietis damage levels between cuttings and seedlings of Picea sitchensis

Abstract

This study investigated the role of monoterpenes, a group of chemicals known to be involved in plant defence, in the susceptibility of Sitka spruce [Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.] plants derived from both cuttings and seedlings to attack by the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis (L.). Results showed that, given the choice, weevils prefer to feed on the shoots of seedlings than of cuttings and that this preference continued over a period of 6 days, although the overall level of feeding declined. This observation was associated with a higher level of monoterpenes in the shoots from cuttings than in those from seedlings. When the weevils were restricted to the stems and given no choice, levels of damage to the bark were similar in both plant types.     

Effect of Reforestation Methods on Pine Weevil (Hylobius abietis) Damage and Seedling Survival

Örlander, G.1 and Nilsson, U. (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, The Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Asa Forest Research Station, S-360 30 Lammhult, Sweden and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, The Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Box 49, S-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden). Effect of reforestation methods on pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) damage and seedling survival. Received Feb. 16, 1998. Accepted Sept. 15, 1998. Scand. J. For. Res. 00: 000-000, 199X. Damage to Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings by the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was monitored in relation to clear - cutting age and silvicultural treatments in southern Sweden. New clear - cuttings were established on four sites during five consecutive years, and seedlings were planted on them from 1989 through 1993. In total, 31 774 seedlings were planted on 20 clear - cuttings. The measures evaluated were seedling insecticide treatment, application of herbicide to ground vegetation, scarification (mound) and planting late in the season. In addition, the effects of slash removal and seedling type were studied. The pine weevil was, by far, the dominant damaging agent. Planting without insecticide or soil treatment on fresh, one- or two - year - old clear - cuttings resulted in a mean level of weevil - caused mortality exceeding 60%. The results indicate that the risk of serious damage by pine weevils remains high until the clear - cuttings reach four or five years of age. Killing the vegetation with herbicide had no effect on pine weevil damage. Slash removal decreased damage on older clear - cuttings, but the effect was small. Scarification (mounding) strongly reduced damage. On fresh clear - cuttings the mean mortality caused by pine weevils in mounded plots was 13%, whereas it was 77% in the controls. The mounding effect varied between sites and clear - cuttings of different ages. Late planting (10 June instead of 1 May) reduced damage on two- and three - year - old clear - cuttings. Three - year - old, bare - rooted seedlings were not damaged as seriously as two - year - old, containerized ones, but the effect was probably due to the larger size of the bare - rooted seedlings. Non - lethal injury resulted in reduced seedling growth. Damage by pine weevils varied between years and within growing seasons. However, on fresh, one- and two - year - old clear - cuttings, damage was severe enough to cause high mortality during all studied years.     

Evaluation of competitive effects of green alder,willow and other tall shrubs on white spruce and lodgepole pine in Northern Alberta

In boreal forests of western Canada, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex. Loud.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) often grow together with numerous tall shrubs such as green alder (Alnus crispa (Ait.) Pursh) and little-tree willow (Salix spp.). In an area south of Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada, we examined the effects of shrubs, herbs and other trees on nutrient and light availability and growth of white spruce and lodgepole pine. For white spruce the best competition measure (tested against volume increments of the past 3 years) was visually estimated % ground cover times the height of the competitor (VCHT) with light (DIFN) ranking in third place. For lodgepole pine, DIFN was the best competition measure for predicting volume increment and the best competition index was again VCHT. Taller conifers had a stronger competitive effect than tall shrubs, with their effect on white spruce being larger than that on lodgepole pine.     

Extra Food Supply Decreases Damage by the Pine Weevil Hylobius abietis

It has been suggested that reduced damage by the pine weevil ( Hylobius abietis ) under shelter trees might result from more food being available under shelter trees than on clear-cuttings. The shelter trees provide an extra supply of bark on branches and roots. Moreover, shelter trees favour some species in the ground vegetation (e.g. bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus ) that could be used as food by the weevil. Two similarly designed field experiments, studied whether the amount of pine weevil feeding on planted conifer seedlings was affected by the availability of other food sources. In the first experiment, fresh pine branches were placed weekly on the ground for 6 weeks on a fresh clear-cutting in southern Sweden. This significantly reduced the amount of feeding on seedlings in treated 20 2 20 m plots. In the second experiment, damage tended to increase after mechanical removal of field vegetation (mainly bilberry), but the effect was not statistically significant. In conclusion, extra food in the form of coniferous bark could relieve seedlings from pine weevil damage; however, any effect of this kind due to the presence of field-layer vegetation remains to be demonstrated. Finally, there may be long-term population effects because of the extra food that the shelter trees provide for the reproductive weevils.     

Breeding eastern white pine: A world-wide perspective

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) has wide genetic variability and high productivity in plantations in North America, Europe and the Far East. In regions where neither white pine blister rust nor the white pine weevil are a problem, as in the central states of the U.S.A. and the warmer parts of Europe, primary attention is given to selection and breeding for vigor. Estimates for trees up to age 18 indicate that a first-generation genetic gain in volume of over 20% can be obtained from open-pollinated family selection within stands. Volume gains of 50% or more over local genotypes have been realized at ages 15–20 through the use of seed from selected southern Appalachian stands and in some individual tree crosses of eastern white pine with blue (Himalayan) pine. In the cool, humid regions of eastern North America and Europe, where blister rust resistance is important, breeding strategies include cloning of resistant P. strobus individuals, use of blue and Balkan pines in breeding programs, and exploitation of low-level rust resistance in low-risk localities. Eastern white pine losses from blister rust can be avoided in Japan and Korea by good plantation management without genetic selection. In some regions where the white pine weevil is the major problem, western white pine is useful both for hybridization and as an alternative, more weevil-resistant species. Analysis of relative photosynthesis of SO₂- and O₃-fumigated clones may be useful as a method of screening for pollution tolerance in regions where air pollution is likely to intensify. Efficient techniques for cloning by rooting of cuttings are now available. Efforts are under way to develop technology for micropropagation for mass production of superior clones. Breeding strategies for the major P. strobus plantation regions of the world are summarized.     

Effects of planting time on pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) damage to Norway spruce seedlings

Feeding by pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L.) causes severe damage to newly planted conifer seedlings in most parts of Scandinavia. We investigated the effect of planting time and insecticide treatment on pine weevil damage and seedling growth. The main objective was to study if planting in early autumn on fresh clear-cuts would promote seedling establishment and reduce the amount of damage caused by pine weevil the following season. The experiment was conducted in southern Sweden and in south-eastern Norway with an identical experimental design at three sites in each country. On each site, Norway spruce seedlings with or without insecticide treatment were planted at four different planting times: August, September, November and May the following year. In Sweden, the proportion of untreated seedlings that were killed by pine weevils was reduced when seedlings were planted at the earliest time (August/September) compared to late planting in November, or May the following year. This pattern was not found in Norway. The average length of leading shoot, diameter growth and biomass were clearly benefited by planting in August in both countries. Insecticide treatment decreased the number of seedlings killed or severely damaged in both Norway and Sweden.     

Histological response of resistant and susceptible white spruce to simulated white pine weevil damage

The traumatic wound response of families of white spruce, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, resistant or susceptible to the white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi (Peck), were compared after simulated weevil damage. Leaders from 331 trees were wounded just below the apical bud in the spring, coinciding with the natural time of weevil oviposition. A portable 1-mm diameter drill was used to drill 24 holes per leader. Leaders were removed in the fall and examined for evidence of traumatic resin canal formation. Drilled trees had a traumatic wound response 8 times greater than that of undrilled trees; however, undrilled trees also formed some resin canals in response to unknown causes. In the drilled trees, the traumatic wound response extended into the lower part of the leader, where it could possibly affect older larvae. Trees from resistant families responded with greater intensity than trees from susceptible families, by producing multiple rings of traumatic resin canals. Trees from resistant families also responded more rapidly than trees from susceptible families based on number of cells to the first ring of traumatic resin canals. Trees from some resistant families exhibited no traumatic resin canal formation, showing considerable within-family variation and suggesting that other resistance mechanisms might be important. In the year after drilling, there was a reduction in tree diameter growth and trees suffered a reduction in constitutive resin canals in the bark, which suggests some energetic cost of traumatic resin production. There was no indication that the extent of constitutive defenses, as measured by density of cortical resin canals before wounding, was related to the ability to produce traumatic resin canals. Screening trees based on their capacity to produce traumatic resin canals may be useful in selecting genotypes resistant to white pine weevil.     

Field Performance of a Protective Collar against Damage by Hylobius abietis

The effectiveness of a plastic collar designed to protect planted seedlings against damage caused by Hylobius abietis (L.) (Col., Curculionidae) was evaluated at 63 planting sites in southern Sweden during 1979 and 1980. Nearly 10 000 collar‐protected pine and spruce plants and 10 000 controls were carefully examined for Hylobius‐damage and other injuries. In addition, the impact of some microsite factors on weevil damage and collar performance was evaluated, and the height growth was measured. The protective effect of the collar for two seasons after planting was comparable to that of insecticides and was best at sites with sparse vegetation and high weevil pressure. Proper application of the collar was crucial for good control. Collars were not observed to affect plant growth. Soil scarification reduced mortality in both collared plants and controls.