Treesearch
Conifer bark beetles
| Authors: | Christopher J. Fettig, Jackson Audley |
| Year: | 2021 |
| Type: | Scientific Journal |
| Station: | Pacific Southwest Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.03.039 |
| Source: | Current Biology. 31(9): R419-R420. |
Download (PDF 792 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/62539.pdf
Abstract
What are bark beetles?Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) are small, cylindrical beetles ranging from ∼1 mm-long Hypothenemusspp. to ∼8 mm-long red turpentine beetles (Dendroctonus valens). They comprise a large and diverse group of insects consisting of > 6,000 species worldwide. About 25 species are commonly recognized as important disturbance agents in conifer forests, particularly in North America and Europe. Bark beetles spend most of their lives within a host tree, feeding and reproducing within the bark. Trees of all species, ages, and sizes may be colonized and killed by bark beetles, but each bark-beetle species exhibits unique host preferences, life history traits, and impacts.