Department of Agrarian Biotechnology, University of Florence, via Maragliano, 77, 50144 Florence, Italy.
J Econ Entomol. 2013 Feb;106(1):229-34. doi: 10.1603/ec12293.
Cone and seed insects have played a key role in the decline of stone pine nut production in Italy. To evaluate the impact caused by native Palearctic and exotic insects, a greater knowledge of pest symptoms is required. During 2008-2009, first and second-year stone pine cones, as well as the seeds produced, were examined in Tuscany (Italy) to assess viability. Insect damage was characterized based on external signs on the cones and seed endosperms, and the impact of recorded insect species on nut production was evaluated. In the current study, cones attacked by anobiid beetles and Dioryctria spp. were observed, as well as asymptomatic dead cones and cones with resin drops and patches, that could not easily be related to a damaging agent. As regards the anobiid beetles, adults of Ernobius parens (Mulsant and Rey) and E. impressithorax Pic emerged from cones in laboratory rearing. A low number of cones damaged by Dioryctria spp. was recorded whereas high percentages of cones showed resin exudates. The presence of resin cannot be definitely related to a damaging agent, although the feeding activity of Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann could be one of the reasons. Damage by L. occidentalis was assessed by seed observation. Most of the seeds displayed tissues that had been damaged by this pest.
球果和种子象甲在意大利欧洲赤松坚果产量下降中扮演了关键角色。为了评估本地和外来昆虫造成的影响，需要对害虫症状有更深入的了解。在 2008-2009 年期间，在意大利托斯卡纳（Tuscany）对第一年和第二年的欧洲赤松球果以及所产的种子进行了检查，以评估其活力。根据球果和种仁的外部迹象，对虫害进行了特征描述，并评估了记录的昆虫物种对坚果产量的影响。在本研究中，观察到了拟步甲属和 Dioryctria spp. 对球果的侵害，以及无症状的死球果和带有树脂滴和斑点的球果，这些球果很难与有害生物联系起来。至于拟步甲属，在实验室饲养中，成虫 Ernobius parens（Mulsant and Rey）和 E. impressithorax Pic 从球果中出现。记录到 Dioryctria spp. 对球果的破坏数量较少，而带有树脂渗出物的球果比例较高。树脂的存在不能明确地与有害生物联系起来，尽管食叶甲 Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann 的取食活动可能是原因之一。通过观察种子来评估食叶甲的危害。大多数种子显示出已被这种害虫损坏的组织。
