Experimental studies on the responses of European siricid woodwasps to host trees

SUMMARY A study was made of the oviposition responses of the siricid woodwasps, Sirex noctilio, S. juvencus, S. cyaneus and Urocerus gigas to experimentally debilitated spruce and pine trees. Treatments included felled, fire‐burned, logged and girdled trees which were treated at intervals before bioassay with cages siricid females. In comparable treatments, S. noctilio showed a distinct preference for pines although it was quite successful on spruce while the other siricid species displayed a preference for spruce. The Sirex species successfully attacked more recently treated material although U. gigas showed a preference for timber in a more advanced state of debility. All species showed preferences for girdled trees although other treatments were also favoured by the different siricid species. Overall, the siricids preferred the area above the girdle irrespective of tree species and there was a higher rate of eggs above the girdle in treated spruce trees. A wide range of moisture content in the timber appeared to have no effect on drilling activity or the successful development of eggs. The response of a wild population of S. juvencus to the treated spruce is also described. The results are discussed in relation to the ecology of Siricidae in Europe and the establishment of S. noctilio in Australia. It is suggested that of the species studied, only S. noctilio poses a serious threat to the living pine stands of Australia.