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Temporal synchrony of Thaumetopoea processionea egg hatch and Quercus robur budburst

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Abstract

Field observations on egg hatch of Thaumetopoea processionea suggest that temporal asynchrony with Quercus robur budburst leads to starvation, retarded neonate development and mortality. However, T. processionea neonates are generally well adapted to variable between-tree and within-tree budburst phenology reflecting the species’ close bond to its host. They are able to withstand starvation periods of up to 3 weeks while searching extensively for suitable buds to feed on. Feeding and movements of young larvae frequently occur during daytime presumably taking advantage of higher day temperatures when night temperatures are below the species’ thermal threshold. Due to the specific adaptations, we assume precise temporal synchrony to play a minor role regarding its influences on T. processionea population dynamics. However, if hatching precedes budburst for more than 2–3 weeks, temporal asynchrony may become a significant mortality factor for the neonates particularly when other adverse events (e.g. unfavourable weather conditions) during that period are involved. Therefore, future studies should try to reveal further details of this interaction and focus on the impact of global warming on T. processionea—oak budburst synchronisation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Michael Boppré for helpful comments on previous drafts of the manuscript. We also give credit to Hansjochen Schröter for his support on conducting these studies. Furthermore, we thank Edeltrud Bruckert, Magdalena Daum, Lars Henke and Michael Kohlbrecher for their technical expertise and Luise Engel-Wagenhoff for proof-reading the English versions.

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  1. Department of Forest Protection, Forest Research Institute of Baden-Württemberg, Freiburg, Germany

    Eiko Wagenhoff, Rainer Blum, Katharina Engel, Holger Veit & Horst Delb

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  1. Eiko Wagenhoff
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  2. Rainer Blum
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  3. Katharina Engel
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  4. Holger Veit
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Correspondence to Eiko Wagenhoff.

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Communicated by A. Battisti

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Wagenhoff, E., Blum, R., Engel, K. et al. Temporal synchrony of Thaumetopoea processionea egg hatch and Quercus robur budburst. J Pest Sci 86, 193–202 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-012-0457-7

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