Anzeiger für Schädlingskunde, Pflanzenschutz, Umweltschutz (1999) 72, 65-71

G. Lobinger and E. Feicht (1999)
Schwärmverhalten und Abundanzdynamik der Erzwespe Karpinskiella pityopthori (Boucek), eines Parasitoiden des Kupferstechers (Pityogenes chalcographus L., Col., Scolytidae)
[Swarming behaviour and abundance dynamics of the pteromalid wasp Karpinskiella pityopthori (Boucek), parasitoid of the bark beetle Pityogenes chalcographus L. (Col., Scolytidae)]
Anzeiger für Schädlingskunde, Pflanzenschutz, Umweltschutz 72 (3), 65-71
Abstract: During a mass propagation of Pityogenes chalcographus in southern Bavaria the pteromalid wasp Karpinskiella pityophthori Boucek, a parasitoid of the bark beetle which is not very well known, occurred in increased density. The wasps were attracted by the pheromone lure 'Chalcoprax' which has kairomonal effects on K. pityophthori. Investigations with the aid of pheromone baited traps and a new electronical instrument produced detailed knowledge about swarming behaviour and population density of this bark beetle antagonist. A high degree of correspondence between the pteromalid wasp and P. chalcographus could be shown concerning pheromone mediated activity, environmental thresholds and abundance dynamic. While parasitoids are not presumed to have considerable regulative potency during mass propagations of bark beetles, we found from investigations in laboratory and in the field that K. pityophthori showed high productivity and parasitizing effectivity and so had significant influence on the density of P. chalcographus. This effectivity was additionally increased by the fact that in the gradation area the population density of the wasp considerably adapted to the abundancy of the local bark beetle populations forming so-called 'spot populations'. Because of this concentration of parasitoids in the areas of high bark beetle density we had high numbers of trapped wasps at the culmination point of the bark beetle propagation, which makes an extensive use of pheromone traps for monitoring or control of P. chalcographus ecologically dubious.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: German)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Gabriela Lobinger

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
transmission/dispersal
population dynamics/epizootiology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pityogenes chalcographus		Germany
Tomicobia pityophthori (parasitoid)	Pityogenes chalcographus		Germany