AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF Carlos Manalo Garcia for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Wood Science presented on February 3, 2005. Title:Management of Powder-post Beetles, Dinoderus minutus F. in Freshly Cut Bamboo. Abstract approved: Redacted for privacy The goal of this project was to develop an integrated pest management strategy for the control of a powder-post beetle (Dinoderus minutus F.).This species causes serious damage in Philippine bamboo. Developmental threshold and thermal constants were examined and natural enemies and ftmgi associated with beetles were investigated. Finally, the seasonal beetle occurrence and costs and benefits of prophylactic treatments to control the damage were investigated under Philippine conditions. Female powder-post beetles deposited eggs mainly in the metaxylem at an average of 9.1 eggs per day. The average development periods for eggs, larva, pupa and egg to adult were 5.4, 43.8, 4.6 and 53.6 days, respectively, at 30 °C. An unknown mite species caused 88% mortality to eggs and could prove to be a potential biocontrol for the beetle. Spores of Beauvaria bassiana and Metarrhizium anisopliae topically applied or sprayed at higher spore concentrations (1: 10 and 1:100) caused significant mortality to D. minutus and could regulate beetle populations. Imperfect fungi constituted the major fungi isolated from the beetles. Further studies are suggested to determine the relationship between these fungi and D. minutus. Beetle populations generally peaked from February to early June and were low to non-existent in July to October in the period studied (1998- 2000). Bamboo starch content and temperature significantly influenced beetle populations. Starch was the major determinant factor in the regression model [(Y/starch = -106.57 + 27.43(starch)] developed to predict beetle population. The linear relationship between temperature and starch production in bamboo culms suggested that monitoring temperature may be a practical method to predict beetle occurrence. Application of 0.0001% a.i. deltamethrin in water or kerosene to freshly cut culms provided complete protection for five weeks against beetle attack. Supplemental treatment may be applied after that protection period. Kerosene or paraffin alone did not increase insecticidal efficacy. The economic benefits of prophylactic treatment were twelve times greater than the added cost of treatments demonstrating the value of treatment for maintaining bamboo quality. Losses due to beetle damage will be further reduced once the results of this study are incorporated in a pest management program. © Copyright by Carlos Manalo Garcia February 3, 2005 All Rights Reserved Management of Powder-post Beetles, Dinoderus minutus F. in Freshly Cut Bamboo by Carlos Manalo Garcia A DISSERTATION submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Presented: February 3, 2005 Commencement June 2005 Doctor of Philosophy dissertation of Carlos Manalo Garcia presented on February 3, 2005 APPROVED Redacted for privacy aj r Profes ,representing Wood Science Redacted for privacy Head o the Department of Wood Science and Engineering Redacted for privacy I understand that my dissertation will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my dissertation to any reader upon request. Redacted for privacy Carlo Ianalo?cia,Author ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all who have contributed to the completion of this research: To my major Professor, Dr. Jeffrey J. Morrell, for his inspiring encouragement and full support from the initial phase of implementation to completion and for his diligence in reviewing the draft and final copies of the manuscript. His acceptance and approval of my application to pursue my graduate studies under his supervision in Wood Science and Engineering Department made it possible to obtain financial assistance and complete my Ph.D. degree under the Graduate Research Assistantship Program. To the members of my Graduate Committee, Dr. Barbara L. Gartner, Professor and Dr. John Simonsen, Associate Professor of the Department of Wood Science and Engineering; Dr. Darrel W. Ross of the Department of Forest Science and to my Graduate Council Representative Dr. Willie E. Rochefort of the Department of Chemical Engineering, for reviewing the manuscript. To Dr. Thomas E. McLain, Department Head of Wood and Science Engineering, for favorably endorsing my application for admission and re-admission to the Graduate School and his continued interest in helping me finish my Ph.D. Program. To the Faculty and Staff of the Department of Wood Science and Engineering (formerly the Department of Forest Products), who provided me the advanced knowledge and training in wood science and related fields of study. To Ms. Deborra Ann Low, for consistently sending updated communication regarding my application for re-admission. To the Wood Products Pathology and Preservatives Chemistry Laboratories (Forest Research Laboratory) staff of Dr. J.J. Morrell, to Camille, Connie, Hua and Ron for their good fellowship and moral support duringmy stay at the Department. Special thanks to Camille and Connie, for their precious time and effort in reviewing and editing my power point materials presented during the final oral exam. Ialso appreciate the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), Los Bafios, Laguna, and the Human Resource and Development Committee of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Taguig City, Philippines, for allowing me to undertake graduate studies abroad and providing financial assistance to my research project. I am also grateful to the late Engr. Domingo J. Alfonso and Mr. Joel Olitin, Owner and Manager, respectively, Kawayan Farm in Pililla, Rizal and Dr. Edwin Fernando, Director, Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, College of Forestry, University of the Philippines at Los Baflos, for granting space for experimental sites in their respective locations to conduct the seasonaloccurrence study. To Dr. Tom Mew, Chairman and Ms. Remy Aguda, Researcher, Entomology- Plant Pathology Division (EPPD), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baflos, Laguna, for permitting me to conduct Chapter 1 at the EPPD Laboratory and for providing isolates of B. bassiana and M anisopliae for the biological control study, respectively. To Ms. Zeny Pascual, Researcher, Crop, Soils and Water Science Division, IRRI, for providing 3-year climatic data for Laguna and Rizal provinces. I wish to thank Beng Bartolome of Statistics Division, IRRI and Oyee Jacinto of Information Communication and Technology Section, FPRDI, for their valuable assistance in the analysis of the data. To Ms. J0 Catindig, Researcher, Entomology-Plant Pathology Division, IRRI, for taking pictures of the life stages of my cute little bug. To Ms. Joy "Toktok" Casin, Senior Science Research Specialist, Socio-Economic Section, FPRDI, for her unselfish suggestions and comments on the cost and analysis of prophylactic treatment. Special thanks are due also to Dr. Magdalena Y. Giron for her all out support in the implementation and completion of this project and in obtaining my Ph.D. degree. To Nap A. Pablo, Banjo C. Navor, Dionisio A. Servañez and Zeny San Pablo for extending their voluntary assistance during the implementation of the project. To those individuals and agencies not mentioned, but who in one way or another contributed in the completion of this research work, thank you for your cooperation. Finally, I wish to acknowledge my wife Fanny, daughter Steph and son Patrick for their love, patience and understanding that they displayed throughout this long process, this piece of work is dedicated. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION 1 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 2 Distribution and Occurrence of Dinoderus minutus 2 Host Range 3 Life-cycle of D. ininutus 3 Natural Enemies and Fungal Associates 4 Beetle Occurrence and Abundance 6 Costs and Benefits of Prophylactic Treatment 7 Objectives 7 CHAPTER 1: DEVELOPMENTAL THRESHOLDS AND THERMAL CONSTANTS OF THE LIFE STAGES OF D. minutus 10 ABSTRACT 10 INTRODUCTION 11 MATERIALS AND METHODS 13 Rearing of D. minutus 13 Development of the Life Stages of D. minutus at Constant Temperatures 13 Estimation of Developmental Thresholds and Thermal Requirements....14 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 15 Rearing of D. minutus 15 Development of the Life Stages of D. minutus at Constant Temperatures 16 Estimation of Developmental Thresholds and Thermal Requirements....22 CONCLUSIONS 24 LITERATURE CITED 25 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page CHAPTER 2: NATURAL ENEMIES AND FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH POWDER-POST BEETLE, D. minutus 27 ABSTRACT 27 iNTRODUCTION 28 MATERIALS AND METHODS 29 Predation of Mites Against D. minutus .29 Screening of Entomopathogenic Fungi, B. bassiana and M anisopliae against D. minutus 29 Isolation of Fungal Associates of D. minutus 31 Characterization and Identification of Fungi Associated with D. minutus 32 Distribution of Basidiomycetes, Fungi Imperfecti, Zygomycetes and Ascomycetes in Male and Female D. minutus 33 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 33 Predation of Mites Against D. minutus 33 Screening of Entomopathogenic Fungi, B. bassiana and M anisopliae against D. minutus 34 Frequency of Fungal Isolates on the Body Parts of D. minutus 39 Distribution of Basidiomycetes, Fungi Imperfecti, Zygomycetes and Ascomycetes in Male and Female D. minutus 42 CONCLUSIONS 44 LITERATURE