Preliminary research on mortality of wood destroying Anobiidae (Coleoptera) following the application of p-dichlorobenzene in combination with low oxygen atmosphere fumigation

Experiments were undertaken in connection with the need, indicated in the literature, for the proper choice of a substance enhancing the effect of a low oxygen atmosphere used as a means of controlling wood boring insects in museum collections and historical objects. A low oxygen atmosphere itself causes the death of wood boring insects after a relatively long period of application. Thus, attempts were made to use p-dichlorobenzene to accelerate the effects of a low oxygen atmosphere in the control of wood boring insects. The experiments were performed as a continuation of preliminary research on the effect of p-dichlorobenzene on Anobiidae in an aerobic atmosphere. The paper present the results of gassing Anobium punctatum and Ptilinus pectinicornis (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) larvae with 1,4-dichlorobenzene in a low oxygen atmosphere of nitrogen and argon. The experiments were performed in laboratory conditions at a temperature of 20°C on larvae extracted from wood. The results do not show a faster elimination of larvae of either species using p-dichlorobenzene in a low oxygen atmosphere as compared to using p-dichlorobenzene in an aerobic atmosphere. Complete eradication of larvae in the test groups was obtained after 48 hours when using p-dichlorobenzene in nitrogen. The results obtained when using p-dichlorobenzene in argon appear to be worse at fumigation times shorter than 48 hours.

The entomofauna on the leaves of two forest species, Fagus sylvatica and Corylus avelana, in Menoikio Mountain of Serres

The insect species composition and their abundance were investigated on the leaves of beech (Fagus sylvatica, Fagaceae) and hazel trees (Corylus avelana, Betulaceae) in the mixed forest located in Menoikio Mountain of Serres. For that purpose from April to June 2011 leaves were collected from the two forest species at weekly intervals and the insects found were reared in the laboratory under outdoor conditions and checked every day till their pupation and adult emergence. A total of 27 insect species was recorded. These insects belonged to seven orders. Fifteen Coleoptera species, 4 Hemiptera species, 3 of Lepidoptera species, 2 of Hymenoptera species and 1 species to the orders Diptera, Neuroptera, and Ephemeroptera were found. The results disclose that the number of insect species found on leaves of hazel trees was fewer than the insect species on beech trees. On hazel trees the population of Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) was much higher than in beech trees. The species of Coleoptera collected from hazel trees were Phyllobius pyri (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Rhynchaenus populi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Agiotes acuminatus (Coleoptera: Elateridae). In beech trees the insect species found more frequently were Rhynchaenus fagi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Phyllobius pyri (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Anobium punctatum (Coleoptera: Anobiidae). The largest population of insects was observed at the end of spring, because the life cycle of the foliage insects were synchronized with leaf- flushing of the foliage.