Millipede damage to germinating acorns of northern red oak

Jimmy R. Galford; L. R. Auchmoody; Russell S. Walters; H. Clay Smith; H. Clay Smith

doi:10.2737/NE-RP-667

Treesearch

Millipede damage to germinating acorns of northern red oak

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Jimmy R. Galford, L. R. Auchmoody, Russell S. Walters, H. Clay Smith, H. Clay Smith

Year:

1992

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-RP-667

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-667. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.

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Download (PDF 447 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/20789.pdf

Abstract

Millipedes have not been reported as pests of germinating acorns. Studies in Pennsylvania on the impact of insects on northern red (Quercus rubra L. seedling establishment revealed that the millipede Ptyoiulus impressus (Say) damaged the radicles of germinating acorns. Up to 17 percent of the acorn radicles in areas with heavy acorn crops were damaged in 1'991. Millipede feeding began in late March to early April, several days prior to feeding activity of insects that damage or destroy germinating acorns.

Keywords

Diplopoda, Parajulidae, Ptyoilus impressus, acorn pest, oak regeneration

Citation

Galford, Jimmy R.; Auchmoody, L. R.; Walters, Russell S.; Smith, H. Clay. 1992. Millipede damage to germinating acorns of northern red oak. Res. Pap. NE-667. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.