PRODUCTION OF PINE RESIN AND ITS EFFECT ON SURVIVAL OF RHYACIONIA BUOLIANA (SCHIFF.) (LEPIDOPTERA:OLETHREUTIDAE)

Abstract

The survival of Rhyacionia buoliana (Schiff.) larvae on Pinus sylvestris L. is related to the amount of resin encountered during the initial attack on the buds, the larvae being unable to establish themselves in very resinous buds. The resin canals in the buds are developed in response to short days at the end of the summer while the development of the moth is associated with summer temperature. Thus more larvae survive in a warm summer than a cool one as they attack the buds before there is a well-developed resin protection. Also fewer larvae survive on the very resinous Pinus nigra Arn. than on P. sylvestris. However, the best survival was found on Pinus contorta Doug., which also was more resinous than P. sylvestris.