Impact of oak lace bug Corythucha arcuata (Heteroptera: Tingidae) on pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) seed quality

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Milivoj Franjević
• Author: Damir Drvodelić
• Author: Antonija Kolar
• Author: Marija Gradečki-Poštenjak
• Author: Boris Hrašovec
• Editor: Ivana Radojčić Redovniković
• Editor: Tamara Jakovljević
• Editor: Vlatka Petravić Tominac
• Editor: Manuela Panić
• Editor: Renata Stojaković
• Editor: Dina Erdec
• Editor: Kristina Radošević
• Editor: Višnja Gaurina Sarček
• Editor: Marin Cvjetko Bubalo
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOTECHNICAL SCIENCES; Forestry

Abstract (english)

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) is the most valuable tree species in Croatia due to the high quality of wood, but management of oaks forests is demanding [1]. Over the past five to six years this particular tree species has suffered heavily from the attack by a leaf sucking insect known as the oak lace bug (OLB), Corythucha arcuata [2]. It has established a stable population across Europe, where it is an alien (allochthonous) species [3]. As it has no natural enemies in the ecosystem, it has become an unequaled invasive species [4]. This invasive alien species (IAS) is a very important negative biotic factor which threatens the health of pedunculate oak and hinders sustainable forest management [5]. Foliar damage occurs in spring, after overwintering, when adults start to feed on leaves and lay eggs in late April or early May. The greatest damage occurs after larvae hatch from masses of eggs in early June and feed intensively on the underside of leaves, causing discoloration and destruction of leaf tissue with subsequent reduction of the assimilation surface. Initially, the infected leaves are covered with small black excrements and yellowish dots that represent OLB feeding. Intensive feeding from May gives an autumnal appearance to the entire tree by late July and early August [6]. Consequently, the second and possibly the third OLB generation exerts an additional negative impact [5]. Eventually, in the period of acorn fructification the leaves turn yellow and dry, without any green surface. In combination with other negative abiotic and biotic factors, this results in premature fall of acorns [7]. The negative impact of OLB infestation on reproduction causes particular concern in view of the fact that Croatian lowland oak stands have high ecological and economic importance. Their importance is documented by their share in state owned forests, where pedunculate oak (Q. robur L.) accounts for 14.9% (or 45.0 million m3) of the growing stock and the amount of pedunculate oak in allowable cut reaches up to 13.6% (or 0.79 million m3) [1]. Reduced seed weight, lower germination rates and poorer seedling vigour could have a detrimental effect on sustainable forest management of pedunculate oak stands in Croatia. The aims of this study were to establish OLB phenology and quantify the impact of OLB infestation on oak seed in Croatian oak seed orchards and forest stands in the early stages of OLB infestation

• Keywords (english): Corythucha arcuata; invasive alien species; pedunculate oak; seed quality; integrated pest management
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Publication title: Natural resources green technology & sustainable development -GREEN/3
• Edition: Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Croatia
• Numbering: pp. 161-165
• ISBN: 978-953-6893-12-6
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:108:973656
• Publication: 2018
• Conference: Title: Natural resources, green technology and sustainable development/3-GREEN2018; Location: Natural resources, green technology and sustainable development/3-GREEN2018, Croatia; Start date: 2018-06-05; End date: 2018-06-08; Assembly type: Lecture
• Type of resource: Text
• Publishing place: Zagreb
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2018-07-10 07:47:38