Comparison of the Susceptibility of Six Eucalyptus Tree Species to Leptocybe Invasa-Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Attack in a Forest Nursery in Zomba District

Abstract

This study was conducted in August 2014 to test the relative susceptibility of six eucalyptus tree species Eucalyptus camadulensis, E. grandis, E. microcorys, E. tereticornis, E. maidenii and E. saligna to Leptocybe invasa, a recently introduced pest of blue gum trees In Malawi. Based on calculated Average Damage Indices (ADI), significant differences were observed between species (P=0.001) and Eucalyptus grandis was the most susceptible (ADI= 2.13) followed by E. camadulensis and E. saligna (ADI= 1.46 and 1.55 respectively) in that order. Eucalyptus microcorys, E. teretocornis and E. maidenii were the least susceptible (ADI=0.75, 0.66 and 0.65 respectively). The findings presented an early indication of levels of possible resistance differences among the various eucalyptus species at the early stage of growth.