In South America, the rate of afforestation with exotic pines has dramatically increased during the last few decades. Brazil has over 4 millions hectares of exotic pines potentially at risk (compared to 1 million in Chile and 300 000 in Argentina). In addition, afforestation programs are now beginning in Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. It is well known that forest monocultures are at high risk from insect pests and during the last few decades there have been dramatic outbreaks of exotic pests. Sirex noctilio has been identified as the pest that poses the greatest threat to conifer plantations in South America.
Sirex noctilio is native to the pine forests of Europe and the Middle East. It was first reported from South America, in Uruguay, in 1986; subsequently, found in the southern part of Brazil in 1988 and now has a wide distribution in this part of the country. Sirex noctilio is highly polyphagous. Symptoms of attack are seepage of resin from the bole followed by chlorosis and loss of needles. Stem growth is drastically reduced; it is the growth of fungus in the xylem tracheids that can eventually kill the tree. The southern cone countries of South America have agreed to work together to combat pests that affect regional trade. A worshop is planned for fall 1995 in Brazil co-sponsored by the International Institute of Biological Control, the EMBRAPA National Center of Forestry Research in Curitiba, and the USDA Forest Service National Center of Forest Health Management to promote biological control of Sirex noctilio through the quarantine, importation, release, and field evaluation of parasitoids.
Key words: Sirex, South America, biological control.
Correspondence: Richard Reardon, USDA Forest Service, National Center of Forest Health Management, 180 Canfield Street, Morgantow, WV 26505, USA
Telefax: +1-303-2851505