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The Role of the Bark Beetle, Hylastes ater (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), as a Sapstain Fungi Vector to Pinus radiata Seedlings: A Crisis for the New Zealand Forestry Industry?

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Integrated Pest Management Reviews

Abstract

The role of the bark beetle Hylastes ater in the re-establishment of Pinus radiata forest in New Zealand is discussed. H. ater was found to be a dominant factor in seedlings mortality in the first year following planting. However, seedling mortality is usually relatively low. In contrast, it was found the large numbers of seedlings were sub-lethally damaged by H. ater feeding attempts, particularly in high risk sites. High risk sites were identified as sites that were harvested during March and April (autumn) when the peak flight activity of H. ater occurred, and subsequently planted with P. radiata seedlings the following winter. H. ater was found to vector sapstain fungi to seedlings during feeding attempts, and a strong relationship between the severity of damage and presence of sapstain fungi was identified. The role of H. ater as a vector of these fungi and the potential implications to the New Zealand forest industry are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, The University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand

    Stephen D. Reay, Joanne M. Thwaites & Roberta L. Farrell

  2. Forest Management Group, School of Engineering, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Galway, Ireland

    Patrick J. Walsh

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  1. Stephen D. Reay
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  2. Joanne M. Thwaites
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  3. Roberta L. Farrell
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  4. Patrick J. Walsh
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Correspondence to Stephen D. Reay.

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Reay, S.D., Thwaites, J.M., Farrell, R.L. et al. The Role of the Bark Beetle, Hylastes ater (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), as a Sapstain Fungi Vector to Pinus radiata Seedlings: A Crisis for the New Zealand Forestry Industry?. Integrated Pest Management Reviews 6, 283–291 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025711132397

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