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Native and introduced parasitoids in the biocontrol of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in Veneto (Italy)
Author(s) -
Colombari F.,
Battisti A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
eppo bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.327
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1365-2338
pISSN - 0250-8052
DOI - 10.1111/epp.12297
Subject(s) - biological pest control , biological dispersal , pest analysis , biology , parasitoid , ecology , introduced species , competition (biology) , pest control , natural enemies , host (biology) , invasive species , botany , population , demography , sociology
The invasive gallmaker Dryocosmus kuriphilus is a threat to chestnut stands and it is necessary to control it in order to maintain a satisfactory nut yield. A preliminary evaluation of the native natural enemies emerging from the galls, mainly parasitoids associated with native cynipid gallmakers, revealed that they were not able to contain the pest. Consequently, a classical biological control programme using Torymus sinensis started in 2010, with almost 500 releases being made in 6 years. The parasitoid achieved a satisfactory level of control of the pest over a period of time shorter than expected based on literature related to other countries. The success in the study area might be explained by specific traits intrinsic to T. sinensis , such as its high spread capability via stratified dispersal (i.e. a combination of short‐ and long‐distance flights), together with a large availability of host galls and limited competition with other parasitoids.