Douglas-fir cone gall midges respond to shape and infrared wavelength attributes of host tree branches

2012 ◽  
Vol 144 (5) ◽  
pp. 658-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Zahradnik ◽  
Stephen Takács ◽  
Ward Strong ◽  
Robb Bennett ◽  
Anastasia Kuzmin ◽  
...  

AbstractWe tested the hypothesis that the conophagous Douglas-fir cone gall midge, Contarinia oregonensis Foote (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), responds to infrared (IR) radiation and other electromagnetic wavelengths associated with cones of Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco (Pinaceae). Early-season (March–April) thermographic images showed that cone orientation (upright, horizontal, pendant) and cone colour (green, purple, green/purple) did not affect apparent cone temperature (inferred from thermographic images). Tree components significantly differed in apparent temperature with foliage being coolest and branches warmest. There was no significant difference in the number of larvae in cones of different colours, and adult midges were equally attracted to traps painted green or purple, suggesting that cone colour does not affect oviposition decisions by gravid females. Adult midges were more strongly attracted to warm traps with IR frequency emissions higher than the background than to cold traps with IR frequency emissions lower than the background. They were also more strongly attracted to warm branch-shaped traps than to warm can-shaped traps. Collectively, these data indicate that the shape and IR attributes of Douglas-fir branches may serve as foraging cues for C. oregonensis.

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 1858-1863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel G Foote ◽  
Christopher J Fettig ◽  
Darrell W Ross ◽  
Justin B Runyon ◽  
Tom W Coleman ◽  
...  

Abstract Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, trees and stands can be protected from Douglas-fir beetle, Dendroctonus pseudotsugae Hopkins (DFB)-caused mortality by application of synthetic formulations of the beetle’s antiaggregation pheromone, 3-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one (MCH). A biodegradable formulation of MCH, SPLAT MCH, was developed and evaluated for protecting individual Douglas-fir trees and small stands from colonization and mortality by DFB. In an individual-tree experiment in Idaho, both MCH bubble capsules and SPLAT MCH significantly reduced the proportion of treated trees colonized and killed by DFB compared to untreated controls. SPLAT MCH was as effective as MCH bubble capsules for protecting individual trees. Both MCH bubble capsules and SPLAT MCH significantly reduced the proportion of trees colonized and killed by DFB within 0.04-ha circular plots surrounding each treated tree compared to untreated controls. In 0.41 ha stands in New Mexico, both MCH bubble capsules and SPLAT MCH significantly reduced the proportion of trees colonized and killed by DFB compared to untreated controls, again with no differences observed between MCH treatments. In a similar stand level trial in Idaho, neither MCH treatment significantly reduced the proportion of trees colonized by DFB, and only MCH bubble capsules significantly reduced levels of tree mortality compared to untreated controls, but no significant difference was observed between SPLAT MCH and MCH bubble capsules. Overall, the results indicate that SPLAT MCH is as effective as MCH bubble capsules for protecting individual trees and small stands of Douglas-fir from DFB-caused mortality.


2002 ◽  
Vol 134 (5) ◽  
pp. 689-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Morewood ◽  
W.D. Morewood ◽  
R.G. Bennett ◽  
G. Gries

AbstractIn seed orchards of Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco (Pinaceae), located in Washington State and Oregon, United States, we tested whether catches of male Douglas-fir cone gall midges, Contarinia oregonensis Foote, in pheromone-baited traps can be used to predict the extent of galled scales (= seed loss at harvest) caused by developing larvae. In 2000, 27 experimental blocks (4–7 ha each) were selected. In each block we recorded mean numbers of (i) male C. oregonensis captured in 20 pheromone-baited Wing traps, (ii) egg-infested scales in up to 50 conelets in early spring, and (iii) galled scales in up to 50 cones in late summer. In 2001, the experiment was repeated with 20 Delta traps in each of 26 experimental blocks. Moreover, catches of C. oregonensis and nontarget insects in Delta traps and Wing traps were compared in one additional orchard block in 2001. In both years there were positive correlations between mean numbers of egg-infested and galled scales and between mean numbers of captured male C. oregonensis and mean numbers of both egg-infested and galled scales, particularly when only experimental blocks with ≥50% of trees bearing at least 5 conelets were considered. Our results suggest that 4 or 2 captured male C. oregonensis in Wing or Delta traps, respectively, warrant insecticidal control of C. oregonensis. Delta traps, which captured fewer nontarget insects, would be more suitable than Wing traps for operational implementation of this technology.


1959 ◽  
Vol 91 (11) ◽  
pp. 719-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Hedlin

Gall midges have been reported from cones of western red cedar, Thuja plicata Donn., but none have been described. Keen (1958) reported the occurrence in Washington and Oregon of a cone midge which was credited with destroying 90 per cent of the seed. In 1940 Prebble and Graham reported a midge in cones of western red cedar at Cowichan Lake, B.C. These reports almost certainly refer to the midge described here. The only other species taken from red cedar cones was Lestodiplosis taxiconis Foote, but it occurred in verysmall numbers; previously it has been reported only from cones of Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco (Foote, 1956).


1986 ◽  
Vol 118 (11) ◽  
pp. 1185-1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Stein ◽  
George P. Markin

AbstractOxydemeton-methyl, azinphosmethyl, dimethoate, and acephate were evaluated in Douglas-fir seed orchards for control of Douglas-fir cone gall midge, Contarinia oregonensis Foote, and Douglas-fir seed chalcid, Megastigmus spermotrophus Wachtl. Results varied with infestation levels and specific chemicals. There was no significant reduction of infestation levels of either insect with the application of acephate. Oxydemeton-methyl injections, oxydemeton-methyl spray, and dimethoate significantly reduced cone gall midge damage. All four chemicals were ineffective against the seed chalcid for infestations of less than 10% of extractable seed. Oxydemeton-methyl injections, azinphosmethyl, and dimethoate significantly reduced the incidence of seed chalcid when the infestation was high (61%). There was no statistically significant difference (α = 0.05) for pairwise comparisons between chemicals which significantly reduced the infestation levels of either insect.


1962 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 376-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. F. Condrashoff

Incidence of damage to needles of Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, by larvae of gall midges has been noted in British Columbia since 1935. In 1953 severe midge damage to Douglas fir occurred in sections of British Columbia, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Outside of brief and general reference to these gall midges in literature and in unpublished notes, almost nothing was known of their biology, and the species remained undescribed. Relatively little interest has been shown these insects until recent years, when severe infestations in southeastern British Columbia affected the sale of Douglas fir for use as Christmas trees.


1985 ◽  
Vol 117 (10) ◽  
pp. 1223-1230 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.D. Schowalter ◽  
M.I. Haverty ◽  
T.W. Koerber

AbstractDouglas-fir cones were collected from 17 seed orchards in California, Oregon, and Washington in the fall of 1983. Cones were completely dissected and seed losses ascribed to the Douglas-fir cone gall midge (Contarinia oregonensis (Foote)), the Douglas-fir seed chalcid (Megastigmus spermotrophus (Wachtl)), the Douglas-fir cone moth (Barbara colfaxiana (Kearfott)), and the fir coneworm (Dioryctria abietivorella (Groté)). There appear to be great differences between orchards, but overall C. oregonensis and M. spermotrophus collectively destroyed approximately 70% of the filled seed. Physiographic province significantly (P<0.05) explained variation in damage by all insect species between seed orchards. In general, damage by all species increased from northern provinces to southern mountainous provinces. Damage by C. oregonensis and B. colfaxiana appeared to be related to land use or management factors, as well.


1976 ◽  
Vol 108 (10) ◽  
pp. 1079-1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Schenk ◽  
Alan A. Berryman ◽  
John W. Dale

AbstractThe distribution of attack by Scolytus tsugae (Swaine) between and within trees was evaluated in a small, isolated stand of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco) saplings in northern Idaho. Distribution of attacked trees was determined from a complete inventory of the stand Within-tree distribution of attack was evaluated from sample bolts removed from three levels of each of nine sample trees. The infestation was concentrated (> 50%) in the 5-in. (12.7-cm) (dbh) trees during the 3-year outbreak period, but spread to the next smaller and larger diameter classes during the peak year. Approximately 52% of available host trees in each of the 5- and 7-in. (12.7- and 17.8-cm) diameter classes were killed during the outbreak. The lower and middle thirds of the bole sustained the highest number of attacks per ft2 (930 cm2). There was no significant difference in the percentage of successful attacks per ft2 (930 cm2) between tree level; however, the degree of success tended to increase with height in the tree.


Plant Disease ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 744-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry E. Weiland ◽  
Bryan R. Beck ◽  
Anne Davis

Pythium species are common soilborne oomycetes that occur in forest nursery soils throughout the United States. Numerous species have been described from nursery soils. However, with the exception of P. aphanidermatum, P. irregulare, P. sylvaticum, and P. ultimum, little is known about the potential for other Pythium species found in nursery soils to cause damping-off of tree seedlings. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the pathogenicity and virulence of 44 Pythium isolates representing 16 species that were originally recovered from soil at three forest nurseries in Washington and Oregon. Seeds of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were planted into soil infested with each of the isolates. Seedling survival, the number of surviving seedlings with necrotic root lesions, and taproot length were evaluated 4 weeks later. Responses of Douglas-fir to inoculation varied significantly depending on Pythium species and isolate. Eight species (P. dissotocum, P. irregulare, P. aff. macrosporum, P. mamillatum, P. aff. oopapillum, P. rostratifingens, P. sylvaticum, and P. ultimum var. ultimum) significantly reduced the number of surviving seedlings compared to the noninoculated treatment. However, all Pythium species caused a greater percentage of seedlings to develop root lesions (total mean 40%) than was observed from noninoculated seedlings (17%). Taproot length varied little among Pythium treatments and was not a useful character for evaluating pathogenicity. Results confirm the ability of P. irregulare, P. mamillatum, and P. ultimum var. ultimum to cause damping-off of Douglas-fir seedlings, and are indicative that other species such as P. dissotocum, P. aff. macrosporum, P. aff. oopapillum, P. rostratifingens, and P. sylvaticum may also be responsible for seedling loss.


1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 1198-1206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paige E Axelrood ◽  
William K Chapman ◽  
Keith A Seifert ◽  
David B Trotter ◽  
Gwen Shrimpton

Poor performance of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) plantations established in 1987 has occurred in southwestern British Columbia. Affected sites were planted with 1-year-old container stock that exhibited some root dieback in the nursery. A study was initiated in 1991 to assess Cylindrocarpon and Fusarium root infection in planted and naturally regenerating (natural) Douglas-fir seedlings from seven affected plantations. Percentages of seedlings harboring Cylindrocarpon spp.and percent root colonization were significantly greater for planted seedlings compared with natural seedlings. A significant linear trend in Cylindrocarpon root colonization was observed for planted seedlings with colonization levels being highest for roots closest to the remnants of the root plug and decreasing at distances greater than 10cm from that region. This trend in Cylindrocarpon colonization was not observed for natural seedlings. Cylindrocarpon destructans (Zins.) Scholten var. destructans and C.cylindroides Wollenw. var. cylindroides were the only species isolated from planted and natural conifer seedlings. For most sites, percentage of seedlings harboring Fusarium spp.and percent Fusarium root colonization were less than for Cylindrocarpon. Recovery of Fusarium spp.from seedlings and root colonization levels were not significantly different for planted and natural seedlings from all sites.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document