Abstract

RUBIN-AGUIRRE, Azucena; LINDIG-CISNEROS, Roberto  and  DEL-VAL, Ek. Pineus strobi Hartig (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) infestation in a restoration with two pine species. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2011, vol.2, n.4, pp.91-103. ISSN 2007-1132.

Invertebrate herbivory is known to be a limiting factor for plant survival under restoration conditions but there are few studies that have dealt with the topic. In a 4-year-old restoration experiment in Michoacan, México, pine trees were growing healthy until 2006 when they were heavily attacked by Pineus strobi (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) therefore it was decided that the effect of the adelgid on the performance of the pines: P. pseudostrobus and P. montezumae must be assessed. P. strobi was eliminated in half of the trees using the insecticide Decis and assessed insect infestation and tree performance monthly throughout the 2007 growing season. The insecticide decreased P. strobi infestation in P. montezumae but not in P. psedostrobus. Insecticide application was not beneficial for tree growth in any species, on the contrary tree performance diminished in P. montezumae. Pinus pseudostrobus was not harmed by insect feeding and individuals of P. montezumae infested by P. strobi showed greater growth than controls. P. strobi infestation for both species seems to be of little relevance since trees did not reduce their growth.

Keywords : Compensation; insecticide; sucking insect; Pinus montezumae; Pinus pseudostrobus; tolerance.

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