EFFECTIVENESS OF TRUNK-IMPLANTED ACEPHATE FOR THE PROTECTION OF CONES AND SEEDS FROM INSECT DAMAGE IN FRANCE AND CHINA

From 1989 to 1993, trunk implants of acephate were tested for the control of seed and cone insect damage to conifer species in France and northeastern China. The treatments were promising for the control of the major pests that feed on cone and seed tissues, including cone flies, coneworms, and seedworms, in European and Siberian larch, Norway spruce, Scots and mountain pine. In contrast, acephate implants did not prevent seed chalcid damage nor that of gall midges in Douglas-fir, European larch, and Siberian larch. Treatment generally increased seed yield, but a significant increase in the number of filled seeds was seen only when chalcids and midges were absent. The 2-year effect of implants seemed limited. Acephate implantation did not seem to affect seed germination.