Changes in bark beetle susceptibility indicators in a lightning-struck loblolly pine

Abstract

Xylem resin flow in a lightning-struck loblolly pine was too low to be measured for the first few days after the strike, but flow was restored after 3 weeks. The content of α-pinene, camphene and myrcene in the oleoresin increased 3 weeks after the strike while the level of β-pinene showed a dramatic decline. Limonene and β-phellandrene also decreased, but not as dramatically as the decline in β-pinene. The implications of these changes to known bark beetle attack behavior are discussed.