Monochamus galloprovincialis’in Tunus’taki Halep çamı ormanlarında yayılışı

The pine wilt disease, caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, was detected in Europe in 1999 in Portugal and the longhorn beetle Monochamus galloprovincialis reported as the only vector since 2001. Although not present in northern Africa, it is feared that the PWN may cause significant damage if introduced into the Maghreb region, where several susceptible pine species which can serve as hosts are found, along with insects of the Monochamus genus which can act as vectors. In order to assess the risk of propagation of the wilt disease, we surveyed for the presence of possible vectors of the Monochamus genus in Tunisia, characterizing the distribution and emergence pattern. Studies were carried in nine locations with Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forests. Sampling for insects was based on the trap tree technique, allowing beetles to lay eggs in the field and subsequently emerging. We confirmed the presence of Monochamus beetles in Tunisia, with only one species detected, M. galloprovincialis, which was widespread in the Aleppo pine forests. Our results show that this specie can develop and emerge from the basal, median and the upper part of the Aleppo pines with similar success. The larval development took nearly one year and adult emergences occurred from May to August during 2012. Results are discussed in view of similar biological studies conducted in other Mediterranean countries and the implications for the risk assessment of pine wilt disease in Tunisia.