The bio-ecology, economical importance and control of three saturniids injurious to forest trees

Abstract

The pine emperor Nudaurelia cytherea clarki Geertsema, the poplar emperor, Pseudobunaea irius (F.) and the pine-bark emperor, llolocerina smilax (Westw .), are three important defoliators of especially Pinus patula Schlechtd. & Cham. trees. These studies were undertaken to gain more knowledge of the biology and ecology of these insects, so that effective and economical methods of controlling them can be devised. A further aim was to make a comparison between the potential wood loss, as a result of defoliation, and the cost of insecticidal spraying.