Poplar Stem Borer, Apriona cinerea Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) its Biology, Ecology and Control

Poplar stem borer, Apriona cinerea is a serious pest of poplars in plantations in the North-west Himalaya and the adjoining plains region. Pest distribution and its host plants are given. All age groups of poplars are attacked. Attacked trees deteriorate in quality and break under wind pressure. Various stages of the borer i.e. adult, egg, larva and pupa, its biology and life history are described. Pruning of affected branches in September-October and fumigation with paradichlorobenzene or other fumigants successfully controls borer population. General purpose persistent insecticide, lindane, can be used for killing adults. Soil applications of Furadan (granular formulation) can protect nursery plants from the borer attack. Collateral hosts of the stem borer should be removed from the vicinity of poplar plantations. Clones best adapted to the ecological conditions of a site should be selected for raising plantations.