Damage to Chamaecyparis pisifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl. in a Cryptomeria japonica D. Don seed orchard caused by cryptomeria bark borer, Semanotus japonicus Lacordaire (Coleoptera : Cerambycidae)

Abstract

The damage to 501 26-year-old Chamaecyparis pisifera trees planted in a Cryptomeria japonica seed orchard caused by cryptomeria bark borer was examined. The damage by this beetle was observed on five trees. The percentage of the trees damaged was 1.0% (5/501), which was much lower than the percentage of damage in the neighboring C. japonica stands (30%). Three among the five damaged trees were dead. The percentage of dead trees was higher than that of C. japonica trees, which were rarely killed by the attack. The stem analysis of the dead trees suggested that these trees were killed by heavy attack in that or the preceding year. The capture test by adhesive bands revealed that many cryptomeria bark borers flew to C. pisifera trees, but they did not give heavy damage.