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Complex emergence patterns in a bark beetle predator
Author(s): John D. Reeve
Date: 2000
Source: Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 2: 233-240.
Publication Series: Miscellaneous Publication
PDF: View PDF (164 KB)Description
The emergence pattern of Thanasimus dubius (F.) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), a common predator of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), was studied under field conditions across different seasons. A simple statistical model was then developed to characterize the emergence data, using the truncated geometric distribution. Data are also presented on the mortality of T. dubius eggs at various temperatures and humidities in an effort to explain certain aspects of emergence behavior.
Emergence of T. dubius from a given tree usually occurred in several discrete episodes across a 2 yr period, with most individuals emerging in spring or autumn. Almost no emergence occurred in July and August, which may be an adaptation to avoid high temperature mortality. Emergence patterns appeared similar across seasons, with the time of year serving mainly to shift the pattern through time.
Cycles in D. frontalis abundance may be the result of delayed density dependence generated by its natural enemy complex. The predator T. dubius is likely to be an important component of this delayed density dependence, because of its lengthy development time and apparent impact on D. frontalis.
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Citation
Reeve, John D. 2000. Complex emergence patterns in a bark beetle predator. Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 2: 233-240.Related Search
- Predators of the Southern Pine Beetle
- Dynamical role of predators in population cycles of a forest insect: an experimental test.
- Predation and bark beetle dynamics
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