Population indicators of Rhyacionia buoliana (Schiff.): relations between apical infestation, infestation degree and population density

Abstract

The pine shoot moth, as an introduced species in Chile and with a specific association with the radiate pine, show different responses to the quality and amount of food resources and to environmental microclimatic conditions. In this paper some population indicators as apical infestation, infestation degree and density, are analyzed. Some relations between them are also determined, monitoring the interaction Rhyacionia-Pinus in two sites of a young plantation in the province of Valdivia, X Region of Chile.
The results corroborate former studies in the sense of protect young plantations (lesser than 4 years) and prove how the shoot number is a key factor, specially in young trees, conditioning the high rates of apical infestation even at low pest density.