A Contribution to the Knowledge of Platypus cylindrus in Tunisian Cork Oak Forests. A. Bellahirech, L. Bonifácio, M. Lurdes Inácio, E. Sousa, and M.L. Ben Jamâa. (Tunisia/Portugal)

Abstract

Platypus cylindrus is the most important wood borer of cork oak trees (Quercus suber) in the Mediterranean Basin and namely Morocco, Algeria and Portugal where its presence has drastically increased in the past few decades. However, in Tunisia the insect does not cause relevant damages. The aim of this study was to determine the status of the insect in Tunisia and to understand the relationship between the beetle and its host plant, in order to establish a preventive control plan. During 2011, three sites were visited in the area of North-West of Tunisia, the most covered region with cork oak forests. Fifty trees were randomly sampled in each stand and their dendrometric and phytosanitary variables were recorded. The cork exploitation was also characterized by the observation of the debarking height and number of wounds caused by this practice. The intensity of attack by P. cylindrus was assessed using the parameter number of holes per tree. The analysis of the results showed that the insect presence is more related to the debarking parameters than to dendrometric and phytosanitary traits. The results of the present study may be useful to target P. cylindrus monitoring and to advise technical staff to improve the commonly used procedures for debarking cork oak trees.

Keywords

• Infestation
• oak pinhole borer
• Quercus suber
• Tunisia