BEHAVIOR OF IPS PINI DURING MATING, OVIPOSITION, AND LARVAL DEVELOPMENT (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractBehavior of the pine engraver Ips pini (Say) was observed through plexiglass rearing chambers containing ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Lawson) phloem. Periods of jostling in each entrance tunnel between the resident male and entering female preceded a female’s admission to the nuptial chamber. On the average, mating was completed in 25 seconds. In the gallery, beetles walked on protibial spines, keeping their tarsi folded against their tibiae. Eggs were deposited in niches on either side of the egg gallery and covered by phloem fragments. Larvae mined at right angles to the egg gallery and formed their molting chambers by doubling back and packing frass tightly against that already in the gallery. Larvae consumed their exuviae shortly after molting. Feeding by callow adults on prepupae and pupae may be an important natural control.