A preliminary report on the effects of the rootstocks on the postembryonic development of Capnodis tenebrionis on semi-artificial substrates

Capnodis tenebrionis (L.) (Coleoptera Buprestidae) is one of the major pests of apricot and other stone-fruit trees in the Mediterranean basin, central and southern Europe, North Africa, and around the Black and Caspian Seas areas. This study was aimed at evaluating the influence of the rootstocks on the postembryonic development of the pest and emerged adults. Larvae were reared on semi-artificial substrates from the egg hatching to the pupa occurrence. The substrates differed only for the flour obtained from the bark of eight rootstocks (Adesoto, Cab6P, Colt, Garnem, GF677, MaxMa60, Montclar, Myrabolan 29C), selected among those more commonly used. For each treatment, weight increase of each larva, their survival, appearance time of pupae and adults' size were recorded. Larval survival resulted the highest for GF677 treatments and the lowest for Colt and Adesoto. The biggest adults emerged from the substrate containing Montclar flour, whereas the smallest emerged from Adesoto and MaxMa60 treatments. Current results suggest that Adesoto, Colt and MaxMa60 may affect negatively the postembryonic development of this beetle more than the other assayed rootstocks. This different susceptibility might be used in an integrate management of this pest.