Phytoparasitica (2001) 29, 76-77

Nitza Saphir, Fabienne Assael, A. Zehavi and Z. Mendel (2001)
The cedar lachnid, Cedrobium laportei, a new pest of cedar trees in Israel
Phytoparasitica 29 (1), 76-77
18th Conference of the Entomological Society of Israel, May 18, 2000, Bet Dagan, Israel, lecture
Abstract: Trees of true cedar, Cedrus spp., are important as ornamentals and pure or mixed stands in the hilly regions of Israel. During the last two decades the cedar, particularly the Atlantic cedar, Cedrus atlantica, has been planted in Upper Galilee to replace the Aleppo pine, Pinus halepensis, which deteriorated due to infestation by Matsucoccus josephi. Cedar has become a very popular tree since in addition to its impressive appearance it has been practically free of major arthropod pests until recent years. However, during the last 2 years severe injury has been caused by the cedar lachnid Cedrobium laportei Remaudiere (Homoptera: Lachnidae) to cedar trees growing in the Judean Hills and Upper Galilee. The aphid is indigenous to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, where it occurs on the Atlantic cedar. Conclusive evidence of the presence of the aphid out of its natural range was first recorded in the early 1970s, in southern Europe. On the basis of the high populations observed in 1997 in Israel, it may be assumed that the cedar lachnid has existed here from as early as 1990. During the last 3 years the aphid has been observed in planted forests near Jerusalem, and in Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights. C. laportei form small colonies on the twigs and small branches early in the spring (February). The colonies reach a high number of individuals during the following months until June or July. In the second half of the summer the aphid becomes quite rare. Detection of small populations is difficult since the aphids settle deep down in small crevices in the outer bark. Intensive feeding on the twigs causes a rapid loss of needles and lower branches are covered by thick sooty-mold; honeydew usually is not noticeable. The appearance of infested trees is evidence of severe damage. In several cases trees did not recover from the heavy defoliation. In the national cemetery 'Har Herzl', mature trees of Atlantic cedar died due to the attack. The current introduction of the parasitoid Pauesia cedrobii (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) from France is expected to reduce the aphid populations to tolerable densities.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Zvi Mendel

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
population dynamics/ epidemiology
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
classical biocontrol/new introduction

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Cedrobium laportei	Cedar	Israel
Pauesia cedrobii (parasitoid)	Cedrobium laportei		France