A STUDY OF THE IMTEGRATED MANAGEMENT ON PINE CATERPILLARS (DENDROLIMUS SPP.) IN YUNNAN, CHINA

Pine caterpillar is one of the most destructive pests in conifer forests in china, especially in Yunnan Province. The biological and ecological characlx.-ristics of Dendroltmus kikuchii Mats, occuring in Kunming Hoi Spring distriet have been closely investigated. The key factor analysis based on its 5-generation Jife-table data has been made to help formulate population trend prediction. The pest management strategy and tactics have been gradually formed and implemented during a five-year period with promising results. The auther is convinced that the regular population monitoring is important in IPM and it should be restricted to infestation centers. Four coordination units representing the other main Dendroltmus species inhabiting diffrent forest regions of the Province have been working together through technical conferences and personal contacts. The main points of the pine caterpillar management for the respective forest regions are as follows:(1) Regular population monitoring aiming in locating infestation sites.(2)Holding the over-wintering population in check by applying the microbial pesticides wherever humidity allows in early spring. (3)Limited use of the selective chemical pesticides and other means including manual practices may be considered.