ISHS Acta Horticulturae 726: IV International Symposium on Pistachios and Almonds
STUDY ON THE BIOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION OF LONG-HORNED BEETLES CALCHAENESTHES PISTACIVORA N. SP. (COL.: CERAMBYCIDAE): A NEW PISTACHIO AND WILD PISTACHIO PEST IN KERMAN PROVINCE |
| Author: | H.H. Rad |
| Keywords: | Pistacia vera, Pistacia mutica, pistachio pests, long-horned beetles. |
| Abstract:
Three species of Long-horned beetles; Hesperophanes seriaceus, Macrotoma scutellaris and Trichoferus pressi all belonging to family Cerambycidae have been reported from Iran on the cultivated pistachio (Pistacia vera) and wild pistachio (Pistacia mutica) trees. Long-horned beetles were found in the pistachio orchards of Sirjan in April 1999. This insect identified by Holzschuh (Austria) as Calchaenesthes pistacivora (2003) n.sp. (Col.: Cerambicidae: Cerambicina). The biology and distribution of this pest was studied by weekly sampling and using sleeve cages over the pistachio branches, Then one pair of beetles (Male & Female) was released in the cages during 2000-2003. Adult beetles appear in the early April and feed upon pistachio leaves. Eggs are ovoid, 1 mm diameter and two mm length. The female usually laid eggs on the young twigs or on the pruned branches sites. She laid 40- 45 eggs in her life span. The incubation period for eggs lasts two weeks (approximately) in the natural condition. New hatched larvae penetrate inside the branches and make a tunnel there. The tunnel length is about 15 cm (approximately). Larval period takes 16 to 18 months (in the natural condition) and full-developed larvae pupated in the base of tunnels. Pupa period takes 45 days (approximately). Adults remain five to six months inside the tunnels. Then they emerge at early April. Thus, this insect has one generation over two years. The infected branches become dry and so this pest causes heavy damage on pistachio trees. The beetles damages are observed in the wild pistachio (Pistacia. mutica) and Pistacia khinjuk plantation areas in Sirjan City. Hymenopterans parasitoids Myosoma sp. belonging to family Brachonidae is collected from final instars of larvae. | |
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