First record of Bursaphelenchus hildegardae Braasch et al., 2006 (Nematoda) in New Zealand with updated information on morphology, sequencing and a key to species of the eggersi-group

Bursaphelenchus hildegardae Braasch et al., 2006 was collected from pine wood (Pinus radiata) growing in Kaingaroa Timberlands, and a bark beetle, Hylastes ater Paykull, 1800 in New Zealand. This is a new record for B. hildegardae, occuring in New Zealand, and the second report from the southern hemisphere in addition to Australia. In general, the New Zealand isolate of B. hildegardae corresponds well with the description of B. hildegardae given by Braasch et al. (2006) from Germany. The New Zealand isolate is characterized by having an adult body length of 807–1190 μm, medium a ratios (47.5–58.5 for female and 44.6–60.1 for male), b ratios of 9.8–14.5 (female) and 10.2–12.7 (male), c ratios of 18.8–25.2 (female) and 21.6–32.4 (male), c’ ratios of 4.0–4.4 (female) and 2.1–2.7 (male), and is characterised by having three incisures in the lateral fields, thorn-shaped spicules with a distinctly dorsally-bent thin hook-like condylus, and a dorso-ventally visible terminal bursa. In addition, molecular phylogeny using near full length small subunit (SSU), D2/D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) and the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1 and 2) of the ribosomal rDNA supports the identification. A key to Bursaphelenchus species in the eggersi-group is given.

Flight activity of wood- and bark-boring insects at New Zealand ports

Background: Bark- and wood-boring forest insects spread via international trade. Surveys frequently target new arrivals to mitigate establishment. Alternatively, monitoring pest activity in exporting countries can inform arrival and establishmentrisk. Methods: We report >3 years data from daily sampling of bark- and wood-boring insects that are associated with recently felled Pinus radiata D.Don at five New Zealand ports. Results: Average catch differed between ports and months with Arhopalus ferus (Mulsant), Hylurgus ligniperda F., and Hylastes ater (Paykull) comprising 99.6% of the total catch. Arhopalus ferus was absent during winter with Hylastes ater and Hylurgus ligniperda activity between June and August representing 3.5 and 3.7% of total catch, respectively. Maximum temperature and wind speed influenced flight activity of all three species but not universally across all ports. Flight activity transitioned to a nonlinear pattern above 20°C. Arhopalus ferus has a unimodal flight risk period between late-September and late-April. Hylastes ater was also unimodal except in Dunedin where it was bimodal like Hylurgus ligniperda was in all regions with spring and mid- to late-summer activity periods. Although Hylastes ater was observed during winter, the probability of a flight event during winter was between 0 and 0.02 per week. Hylurgus ligniperda flight probability was zero in Dunedin and low at all other ports from May to August. Conclusions: Modelling seasonal changes in flight probability can inform risk-based phytosanitary measures. We demonstrate the utility of maximum temperature and seasonality as a predictor of wood commodity infestation risk. Such predictors allow National Plant Protection Organisations to develop standards that protect the post-treatment phytosanitary security of individual consignments.

Listening to the hidden sounds in the forest

Many bark beetles (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae) exhibit a wide array of acoustic abilities including sounds used in mate attraction territoriality and defence In New Zealand the goldenhaired bark beetle Hylurgus ligniperda and the black pine bark beetle Hylastes ater are two species of forest insects which may be found on export logs Acoustic signals have been shown to discourage a related bark beetle the western pine beetle Dendroctonus from entering into pine logs and to disrupt mating and tunnelling These recent studies combined with observations of H ligniperda and H ater helped to establish the concept that acoustic disruption could be used as part of a wider systems approach to deter these beetle species near saw mills skid sites and ports If proven effective this technique would add value to New Zealand log exports and decrease the reliance on toxic fumigants as the primary control measure This study shows some of the functions and physical characteristics of the acoustic signals produced by H ligniperda and H ater

Relative methyl bromide tolerances of Arhopalus ferus (Mulsant) Hylurgus ligniperda (F) and Hylastes ater (Paykull) adults

The adult stages of three key New Zealand forest pests burnt pine longhorn beetle (Arhopalus ferus) goldenhaired bark beetle (Hylurgus ligniperda) and black pine bark beetle (Hylastes ater) were fumigated at 10 or 20C for 4 h to determine their mortalities at increasing dosages of methyl bromide as a first step towards developing a new fumigation schedule for New Zealand export logs Hylastes adults were the most methyl bromide tolerant methyl bromide concentration required to control Hylastes adults is much lower than the phytosanitary requirement for export logs to India and China which requires 120 g/m3 for for logs exported from New Zealand but further work on other life stages is required

Hylastes ater(Curculionidae: Scolytinae) AffectingPinus radiataSeedling Establishment in New Zealand

The introduced pine bark beetleHylastes aterhas been present in New Zealand for around 100 years. The beetle has been a minor pest on pines. Research was undertaken to control the pest in the 1950s–1970s, with a biological control agent introduced with limited success. Following a reasonably long period with minimal research attention, renewed interest in developing a better understanding of the pest status was initiated in the mid to late 1990s. Subsequently, a significant amount of research was undertaken, with a number of studies exploring the role of this pest of exotic forests in New Zealand. These studies ranged from attempting to quantify damage to seedlings, evaluate the role of the beetle in vectoring sapstain fungi, explore options for management, and evaluate the potential for chemical and biological control. From these studies, a number of findings were made that are relevant to the New Zealand exotic forest industry and shed new light onto the role of secondary bark beetles globally.

The introduced bark beetles Hylurgus ligniperda and Hylastes ater (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in Chile: seasonal flight and effect of Pinus radiata log placement on colonization

The seasonal flight of Hylurgus ligniperda (Fabr.) and Hylastes ater (Paykull) and the effect of log placement in Pinus radiata D. Don plantations on colonization by these species in Chile are described. Seasonal flight activity was monitored with α-pinene and ethanol-baited traps at three sites and colonization synchrony with trap logs. In two experiments with individual logs and log decks, data were recorded on adults found under the logs, attacks on the bark surface, and adults beneath the bark of logs in three storage treatments: individual logs and log decks (1) touching the soil; (2) elevated above the soil; and (3) touching other logs (individual logs) or logs separated with spacers (log decks). Each treatment was replicated in a plantation and a clearcut. At San José (region IX) and Peña Blanca (region VIII), H. ligniperda flew primarily in spring and H. ater flew in spring and fall. At Brasil (region VIII), H. ligniperda and H. ater flew primarily in summer through fall. The flight of H. ligniperda was more synchronized with colonization of logs than was that of H. ater. The mean number of attacks was significantly higher on individual logs and log decks stored on the soil than on those elevated above the soil, and significantly higher in the clearcut than in the plantation. Mean numbers of adults beneath the bark did not vary significantly among individual-log treatments, but were significantly lower in the log decks separated by spacers. Logging during nondispersal periods (June–August in regions VIII–X) and storing log decks above the soil could reduce beetle colonization of newly cut logs. With this information, management of recently cut logs (harvesting, transport, and storage operations) could be scheduled and executed so as to reduce the risk of these species being introduced into log-importing countries.

Use of sulfuryl fluoride as an alternative fumigant to methyl bromide in export log fumigation

As the deadline for phasing out the use of methyl bromide as a fumigant approaches alternative fumigants are being evaluated Sulfuryl fluoride has emerged as a promising alternative and is gaining increasing acceptance in Europe This study showed that sulfuryl fluoride was an effective fumigant for the control of Arhopalus tristis adults at the lowest concentration tested (15 g/m3) while 120 g/m3 was required for full control of A tristis eggs Sulfuryl fluoride also gave total control of Hylastes ater adults and larvae at 15 g/m3 Sulfuryl fluoride showed potential to control the eight fungi tested in this study with a concentration level of at least 30 g/m3 required for full control of the eight fungi tested