2000 Volume 4 Issue 2 Pages 63-71
Semanotus japonicus is the most severely damaging pest of Cryptomeria japonica plantations. Larvae of S. japonicus feed on the inner bark and sapwood, causing heavy losses of wood quality and price and occasional tree mortality. Resinosis by host trees and attack by natural enemies such as parasitoid wasps dominate as larval mortality factors. Populations of S. japonicus are usually established in C. japonica plantations 5-10 years after planting, reach peak abundance when the plantations are 10-20 year-old, and subsequently decline rapidly. Plantations located at lower altitudes and with larger radial increment are more susceptible to the infestation by S. japonicus. Trees resistant against S. japonicus have been selected in an extensive breeding program and their offsprings will soon be supplied. Although several preventive and control measures are proposed, the practical effectiveness of these measures has not been confirmed. Finally, potential directions for future research are discussed.
