The commercialization of pine nuts generates major economic benefits for the Mediterranean basin. This has been reduced due to an increase in cone and seed damage associated with the spread of the western conifer seed bug (WCSB) throughout the Mediterranean region and the Dry Cone Syndrome appearing on pine cones. Studies on several conifer species have associated cone and seed damage with WCSB feeding. To relate cone and seed damage of stone pine to WCSB feeding, one exposure and exclusion trial of cones to the feeding of the natural WCSB population was carried out. To determine the seasonality of cone and seed damage caused by this pest, another trial consisting of bagging cones with insects was performed with first‐, second‐ and third‐year cones at different stages of cone development. The natural WCSB population was associated with cone abortion in second‐year cones (unprotected: 43.6% vs. protected: 2.7%), a decreased number of seeds per cone (82.0 vs. 105.3), kernel yield (1.8% vs. 3.8%) and proportion of sound kernels (35.6% vs. 73.6%), and numerous types of kernel damage. Cone mortality in first‐ and third‐year cones bagged with insects decreased as the bagging date advanced. A temporal sequence of kernel damage in third‐year cones (aborted, dry embryo without endosperm, and totally or partially damaged endosperm) was reported for seed development and the timing of WCSB feeding. Our findings may be useful in the management of WCSB populations to prevent significant damage to the stone pine nut crop.

中文翻译：

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Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann（半翅目：Coreidae）对松果造成的损害随采食季节的不同而变化

松子的商业化为地中海盆地带来了巨大的经济效益。由于西部针叶树种子虫 (WCSB) 在整个地中海地区的传播以及松果上出现的干球果综合症，导致球果和种子受损增加，这种情况已有所减少。对几种针叶树物种的研究表明，球果和种子的损害与 WCSB 喂食有关。 为了将石松的球果和种子损害与 WCSB 摄食联系起来，进行了一项球果与自然 WCSB 种群摄食的暴露和排除试验。为了确定这种害虫对球果和种子造成的损害的季节性，我们对处于球果发育不同阶段的第一年、第二年和第三年的球果进行了另一项试验，其中包括用昆虫装袋球果。 自然 WCSB 种群与第二年球果的球果败育（无保护：43.6% vs. 受保护：2.7%）、每个球果种子数量减少（82.0 vs. 105.3）、籽粒产量（1.8% vs. 3.8%）相关。 ）和完好籽粒的比例（35.6% vs. 73.6%），以及多种类型的籽粒损坏。 随着装袋日期的提前，装有昆虫的第一年和第三年球果的球果死亡率下降。报道了第三年球果中籽粒损伤的时间序列（流产、没有胚乳的干胚、以及完全或部分受损的胚乳），以用于种子发育和 WCSB 喂养的时间。 我们的研究结果可能有助于管理 WCSB 种群，以防止对石松子作物造成重大损害。