Survival and Vigor of Eucalyptus Species in Morocco and Relation with Attacks of Phoracantha semipunctata Fabricius (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

• Main Author: Kissayi,Khadija
• Publication Date: 2011
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://scielo.pt/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0870-63522011000200013
• topic: Eucalyptus; Phoracantha semipunctata Fabricius; Coleoptera; Cerambycidae; adaptation; Morocco

Although eucalyptus is regarded as having resistance to various insect pests and diseases, it can also suffer from heavy attacks by the eucalyptus longhorned borer, Phoracantha semipunctata (Fab.). In Morocco, this introduced pest was reported for the first time in Selouane, 9km from Nador, by Chararas in 1973. The species appears to have been rare until 1980-1981, but the exceptional drought occurring from 1980 to 1986 probably contributed to its installation and dispersal in Morocco. Nowadays this pest can be found widespread throughout the country, from Oujda in the east to the Atlantic coast and from Tangiers in the north to Agadir in the south. In this study we compare the resilience of different eucalyptus species from various arboretums within Morocco and the relation with attacks by the longhorned borer. The results reveal the existence of differences in adaptation of the different eucalyptus species according to their biotope and bark, influencing their susceptibility and resistance to attacks by P. semipunctata.