Abstract

CIESLA, William M.; ERKANAT, Musa  and  AKESON, Cemal. Predicting Defoliation by Pine Processionary Caterpillar, Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) in Young Pinus brutia Plantations in Northern Cyprus. Silva Lus. [online]. 2011, vol.19, n.Especial, pp.79-88. ISSN 0870-6352.

A method is described for predicting severity of defoliation of young Pinus brutia plantations (<2.5 m in height) by pine processionary caterpillar, Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), based on counts of egg masses or early instar larval colonies. Severity of defoliation is expressed on a 6-class numerical scale adapted from a method of describing the level of infestation by parasitic plants of the genus Arceuthobium in North American conifer forests. This system can be used to select one of three pest management alternatives: no action, removal of colonies by hand pruning or treatment with Bacillus thuringiensis.

Keywords : Pine processionary caterpillar; Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni; defoliation; egg masses; larval colonies; pest monitoring.

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