Abstract
When the cut & top-cut & leave method was used for control of the southern pine beetle in Central Louisiana, trees were felled into the open or into shade in September, June, July, December, and January. Survival was greatest in September, moderate in July, and relatively low in June, December, and January. The cut and top treatment resulted in lower beetle survival in both the cold and hot seasons. Survival was 17 percent for cut and top, 32 percent for cut and leave, and 35 percent for controls. Survival was apparently related to high inner-bark moisture levels, which were 61 percent for cut and top trees and 51 percent for cut and leave. Total brood survival in trees felled into the open was not significantly different from that in trees felled into shade because many insects on the underside of trees felled into the open survived. Turning the logs so that both surfaces can be exposed to direct sunlight would probably give improved control. Even though these tests indicate that cutting and topping trees into an opening may decrease brood survival, the total population was not eliminated. It is not yet known if enough beetles survive to maintain the population and to spread to other trees. But spread is undoubtedly disrupted by treatment because the beetles must emerge from felled trees and seek new hosts outside the treated area.
Keywords
Dendroctonus frontalis,
Pinus taeda,
pest control,
inner-bark moisture and temperature
Citation
Hodges, J.D.; Thatcher, R.C. 1976. Southern Pine Beetle Survival In Trees Felled By the Cut and Top-Cut and Leave Method. Res. Note SO-219. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 5 p.
