PERSISTENCE AND DISPERSAL OF THE NUCLEAR POLYHEDROSIS VIRUS OF NEODIPRION SERTIFER (GEOFFROY) (HYMENOPTERA: DIPRIONIDAE) IN A VIRUS-FREE LODGEPOLE PINE PLANTATION IN SWEDEN

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Abstract
An outbreak of Neodiprion sertifer (Geoffroy) was studied in a lodgepole pine plantation. It was the first tree generation on a 60-ha peatland area. The nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) of N. sertifer was not found in the larval population or in the soil. Within a 1.7-ha experimental plot, a 0.35-ha block was treated with NPV and the ensuing epizootic was studied during three successive summers. The treatment caused 50% mortality of fourth- and fifth-instar larvae. The NPV persisted in the treated block and gradually dispersed into the adjacent blocks. After 2 years, larval mortality was 78% in the treated block and 21% at a distance of 110–125 m from it. The larval population remained at a high level and the outbreak expanded from the experimental plot to the entire 60-ha area in the years following the virus treatment, but few virus-diseased colonies were observed outside the experimental plot. Thus, the capability of this NPV to persist and spread was not sufficient to control and contain the sawfly outbreak.