Reduced parasitism of Sirex noctilio in radiata pines inoculated with the nematode Beddingia siricidicola during 1974-1989
Haugen, D.A.; Underdown, M.G.
Australian Forestry 56(1): 45-48
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-9158 DOI: 10.1080/00049158.1993.10674590
Accession: 002683771
The entomophilic nematode Beddingia siricidicola is the key biological control agent of Sirex spp. in Australia. It has been observed that artificial inoculations of radiata pine (Pinus radiata) with the nematode in plantations in South Australia during the period 1985-88 have resulted in <30% of the emerging S. noctilio being parasitised by these nematodes. In contrast, the original inoculation procedure, developed in 1974, consistently produced >95% parasitism.