New and Emerging Insect Pest and Disease Threats to Forest Plantations in Vietnam

The planted forest area in Vietnam increased from 3.0 to 4.4 million hectares in the period 2010-2020, but the loss of productivity from pests and diseases continues to be a problem. During this period, frequent and systematic plantation forest health surveys were conducted on 12 native and 4 exotic genera of trees as well as bamboo across eight forest geographic regions of Vietnam. Damage caused by insects and pathogens was quantified in the field and laboratory in Hanoi. The threats of greatest concern were from folivores (Antheraea frithi, Arthroschista hilaralis, Atteva fabriciella, Hieroglyphus tonkinensis, Lycaria westermanni, Krananda semihyalina, and Moduza procris), wood borers (Batocera lineolata, Euwallacea fornicatus, Tapinolachnus lacordairei, Xyleborus perforans, and Xystrocera festiva), sap-sucking insects (Aulacaspis tubercularis and Helopeltis theivora) and pathogens (Ceratocystis manginecans, Fusarium solani, and Phytophthora acaciivora). The number of new and emerging pests and pathogens increased over time from 2 in 2011 to 17 in 2020, as the damage became more widespread. To manage these pests and diseases, it is necessary to further invest in the selection and breeding of resistant genotypes, improve nursery hygiene and silvicultural operations, and adopt integrated pest management schemes. Consideration should be given to developing forest health monitoring protocols for forest reserves and other special-purpose forests.

Automated summary

The planted forest area in Vietnam increased from 3.0 to 4.4 million hectares between 2010 and 2020, but the loss of productivity from pests and diseases remains a problem. The study found that folivores, wood borers, sap-sucking insects, and pathogens were the major threats, with the number of new pests and pathogens increasing over time. To effectively manage these issues, investments in resistant genotypes, nursery hygiene, and integrated pest management are necessary, along with the development of forest health monitoring protocols.