Environmental Entomology (1996) 25, 1068-1076

Marvin K. Harris, Chung Soo Chung and John A. Jackman (1996)
Masting and pecan interaction with insectan predehiscent nut feeders
Environmental Entomology 25 (5), 1068-1076
Abstract: Pecan, Carya illinoensis (Wang.) K. Koch, is a masting species that predominantly produces nut crops at 3- to 4-yr intervals. The pecan nut casebearer, Acrobasis nuxvorella Neunzig, removes nutlets in May in years of low production, thereby reducing the equilibrium level of the late season obligatory nut feeding pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn). The pecan generally produces more viable nuts at dehiscence in mast years when pecan nut casebearer occurs with pecan weevil compared with when pecan weevil occurs alone. The pecan nut casebearer enhances masting by substantially reducing nuts in nonmast (low production) years without having much effect in mast (high production) years. This interaction benefits both the pecan and the pecan nut casebearer to the detriment of the pecan weevil.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Marvin K. Harris

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Acrobasis nuxvorella	Pecan/hickory (Carya)	U.S.A. (mid S)
	Curculio caryae	Pecan/hickory (Carya)	U.S.A. (mid S)