Biology, Outbreak Characteristics and Damage Caused by the Black Army Cutworm (Lepidoptera- Noctuidae) : Insects Affecting Reforestation. Biology and Damage

1989

S. 82-88

3 Abb., 1 Tab., 5 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

200069375

Tagungsberichte / IUFRO 1989, S. 82-88

The black army cutworm feeds on conifer seedlings causing mortality, dieback, and deformity. Outbreaks occur 1 or 2 years after a site has been burnt. Larvae feed on herbaceous vegetation which regenerates after fire, and on interplanted seedlings when other vegetation has been depleted. Thirteen species of parasitoids have been recovered from larval collection; one tachinid and two ichneumonids are quite abundant. The degree of damage is dependent on age and species of seedlings and amount of competing vegetation as well as cutworm population density. An outline of a management system for this problem is given which involves classifying site susceptibility, monitoring population density with pheromone traps, and manipulating time of planting.