Structure des communautés d’ennemis naturels de Thaumetopoea pityocampa Denis & Schiffermüller (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) sur pin d’Alep en Algérie

Abstract

THE NATURAL ENEMIES COMMUNITIES STRUCTURE OF THAUMETOPOEA PITYOCAMPA DENIS & SCHIFFERMÜLLER

(LEP., THAUMETOPOEIDAE) ON PINUS HALEPENSIS IN THE SUBSAHARAN ALGERIA

The host plants of the pine processionary caterpillars, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. and Schiff.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae), are the Pinus and Cedrus. This study was carried out in the forest of Pinus halepensis Mill. in the subsaharian region where this insect pest was in a permanent presence. The structure of the natural enemies complex of this insect is analysed. Data on incidence of the various parasitoïds and predatory species are estimed. It appears that the majority of the entomophagous species attacking the pine processionary caterpillars were met in the studied area. It seems that the specific parasitoïds of different development stages, i.e. Baryscapus servadeii for eggs, Phryxe caudata, Erigorgus, femorator for the caterpillars, and, Villa brunnea for the pupae have a hight incidence in the regulation of the pine processionary caterpillars populations. It can exceed 80 % in certain pupae sites. However, in the subsaharian pine forest, predation by Scolopender was observed against the caterpillars in the pupal sites and hedgehog attacking the adults. These observations were not recorded in the other localities in the Mediterranean basin.

Key words: Lepidoptera, insect forest pest, parasitism, incidence, Mediterranean basin.