title: Does Gnomoniopsis castanea contribute to the natural biological control of chestnut gall wasp?
abstract: Gnomoniopsis castanea has been reported as the causal agent of necrosis of chestnut wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) galls. The fungus is frequently observed on galls in chestnut stands infested by the insect in Italy. In the present study the impact of gall necrosis and the dynamic of its development have been studied in mature and young Castanea sativa stands in Central Italy during spring and early summer, before the D. kuriphilus adult flies. Results suggest that gall necrosis develops from resident endophytic inoculum of G. castanea. During the 2 y of monitoring, no differences were found in incidence and severity of the disease. Gall necrosis increased exponentially during the season, reaching 75,4% of galls totally necrotized in the investigated site in mid July. Gall necrosis was shown to have a severe impact on D. kuriphilus vitality, mostly impacting the adults inside the galls. Gall necrosis by G. castanea appears to efficiently control gall wasp in chestnut stands, although the high virulence of the fungus to chestnut fruits precludes its use as biocontrol agent in biological control strategies.
authors.affiliation: DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis, Viterbo 01100, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vannini
authors.affiliation: DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis, Viterbo 01100, Italy. Electronic address: vettrain@unitus.it.
authors.forename: AnnaMaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vettraino
authors.affiliation: DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis, Viterbo 01100, Italy.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martignoni
authors.affiliation: Pathology of Woody Plants, Technische Universität Munchen, Freising 85354, Germany.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morales-Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: DAFNE, University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis, Viterbo 01100, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Contarini
authors.affiliation: DAFNE, University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis, Viterbo 01100, Italy.
authors.forename: Romina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caccia
authors.affiliation: DAFNE, University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis, Viterbo 01100, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Paparatti
authors.affiliation: DAFNE, University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis, Viterbo 01100, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Speranza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000254:growth & development*; D029962:Fagaceae / Q000469:parasitology*; D006927:Hymenoptera / Q000382:microbiology*; D007558:Italy; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D016019:Survival Analysis
keywords: Biological control; Dryocosmus kuriphilus; Endophyte; Gall wasp; Gnomoniopsis castanea