New Pest Response Guidelines - aphis - US Department of Agriculture

Pest Information
Dendrolimus superans
The SaSM is one of the most serious defoliators of coniferous forests in
Hokkaido (Japan) and the Sakhalin Islands (Russia) with periodical outbreaks
occurring on average every 10 years (Fukuyama, 1980 ). Damage to forests in
Hokkaido and the Sakhalin Island is comparable to that of SSM in continental
Russia and China with outbreaks reported in 1919 (200,000 ha damaged),
1941, 1952, 1962 (15,356 ha damaged) and 1976 covering thousands of ha of
larch-pine forests (EPPO, 2005; Fukuyama, 1980; Maeto, 1991). On Hokkaido
Island it reaches outbreaks levels feeding on Abies sachaliensis whereas in
Honshu Island the outbreaks are restricted to Picea jezoensis (Kamata, 2002 ).
Like other Dendrolimus spp., trees that survive defoliation by the SaSM are
weak and susceptible to attack by wood borers (mostly cerambicids and
scolytids) during and after periods of outbreaks (EPPO, 2005).
Environmental Impact
The massive defoliation caused by the Dendrolimus moths during an outbreak
dramatically changes the ecosystem of a forest. Defoliation allows the entry of
more light and precipitation and alters the microclimatic conditions of the
forest floor creating growth conditions ideal for other plant and animal species
(Gedminas and Ziogas, 2008; Ierusalimov, 1973). Larval feeding on pine
needles make nutrients readily available for plants (carbon and nitrogen)
through their large production of frass (Mellec and Michalzik, 2008).
Extensive defoliation in a forest also increases the risk of forest fires as a result
of the accumulation of dry wood from dead trees, which also represents a loss
of habitat for many forest living species of plants and animals that rely on the
affected tree species for food and shelter (Davis et al., 2008). A more direct
environmental impact is the effect of pesticides on non-target organisms and,
the accumulation of pesticides residues in the soil and water sources like rivers,
streams and lakes (Hilszczanski, 1998; Jakel and Roth, 1998).
There is a direct risk to human health consisting of allergies and dermatitis
resulting from exposure to larvae droppings and toxic compounds secreted
from the spines and hairs of live and/or dead larvae and cocoons (Diaz, 2005;
Moore et al., 2006). Direct contact with hair and spines of live or dead larvae
can result in severe dendrolimiasis, a form of dermatitis produced by larvae of
the genus Dendrolimus and characterized by severe dermatitis, inflammatory
arthritis, cartilage inflammation, chronic osteoarthritits and acute scleritis in
some cases (Diaz, 2005; Moore et al., 2006). Reports from China strongly
correlate the incidence of dendrolimiasis in both male and female patients with
outbreaks of Dendrolimus species (Diaz, 2005), particularly D. punctatus
Huang, 1991. Affected patients usually recover after the outbreaks but a small
12/2012-01 Dendrolimus Pine Moths 2-41