INTERACTION BETWEEN SITKA SPRUCE WEEVIL AND ITS HOST, PICEA SITCHENSIS (BONG) CARR.: A NEW MECHANISM FOR RESISTANCE

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Abstract
Available information on the interaction between Sitka spruce weevil, Pissodes strobi (Peck), and its host Sitka spruce, Picea sitchensis (Bong) Carr., is examined. Based on a theoretical consideration of this information, a new mechanism is proposed to explain the resistance exhibited by some of the genetically distinct individuals of some provenances of this species. Experimental evidence is presented to show that resistant trees can sufficiently affect P. strobi reproduction and progeny development and survival to reduce this pest’s ability to kill the leaders of these trees when challenged with weevils containing already mature eggs. Our mechanism also provides an explanation as to how weevils are able to avoid attacking and reproducing on resistant trees in which their progeny would fail.

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