›› 2003, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (6): 720-726.doi:

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Influences of pine needles from different pine forests on the growth and develop ment of the massonpine caterpillar, Dendrolimus punctatus Walker

LIU Xing-Ping1, 2, WANG Guo-Hong2, LIU Xiang-Hui1, HAN Rui-Dong1, GE Feng1*   

  • Online:2003-12-20 Published:2003-12-20
  • Contact: GE Feng

Abstract: The growth and development of the massonpine caterpillar,Dendrolimus punctatus Walker was measured after being fed on pine needles from massonpine and slash pine in different pine forests. Shorter developmental period, higher mortality, greater pupation rate, emergence and fecundity were observed in pine caterpillars fed on massonpine needles compared to those fed on slash pine needles. Also, the food consumption and utilization of pine caterpillars fed on massonpine needles were higher than those fed on slash pine needles. Massonpine caterpillars had greater potential to improve their growth and development and enhance their fecundity and feeding efficiency when fed on massonpine needles or slash pine needles from pure pine forest compared to those fed on needles from mixed pine forest. Moreover, the management implications for pine caterpillars of mixed pine forest are discussed.

Key words: Dendrolimus punctatus; growth; forest type, pin e needles