Screening spruce for white pine weevil resistance
- Project description
- Distribution of P. strobi in North America
- Genetic variation in canadian weevil populations
- Range of Sitka spruce
- Sources tested for resistance in Western North America
- White pine weevil resistance screening trials
- Mass screening for resistance (Jordan River plantation)
- Ghost trial: studies using caged insects clarified the mating system of weevils
- Artificial wounding studies: Studying plant defenses
- Insect - plant relationships
- Are weevil resistant trees also resistant to other insects?
- Conclusions
- Selected references
Genetic variation in canadian weevil populations
White pine weevil sample locations in Canada
René Alfaro, Kornelia Lewis et Yousry El-Kassaby
Breeding spruce for resistance required that we determine if this insect exhibited genetic variation across its range. If large variation was present, breeding programs may need to be developed for each target weevil population. Kornelia Lewis, Yousry El-Kassaby and René Alfaro, sampled 41 weevil populations across Canada to determine the level of genetic variation in this insect using allozyme markers. They concluded that this weevil is not all the same across the country, but that the species consists of four sub-populations. This study was also financed through FRBC project Molecular assessment of Spruce weevil populations grant No.HQ 96062-RE to Y. El Kassaby, K.O. Lewis and R. Alfaro
Genetic variation in Canadian weevil populations
Genetic analysis of 41 weevil populations, using weevil protein electrophoresis, indicated that weevil populations in Canada could be grouped into four groups. Three of these groups occur only in British Columbia. East of the Rocky Mountains weevils grouped as a single population.
White pine genetic variation in Canadian weevil populations
Populations of Pissodes strobi as determined by genetic analysis of protein electrophoresis. These results led to the recommendation that breeding programs for weevil resistant trees should consider the target weevil population.
Project status
- On-going