LIGHTNING IN THE ECOLOGY OF THE SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE,DENDROCTONUS FRONTALIS(COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractLoblolly pine trees struck by lightning offer a favorable attack and brood environment for the southern pine andIpsbeetles. In central Louisiana lightning strikes reduced oleoresin exudation pressure, oleoresin flow, and relative water content of inner-bark tissue and resulted in a decrease in sucrose and an increase in reducing-sugar content of inner bark. Interspecific competition was much greater in struck trees than nonstruck trees. Among struck trees, those with highest carbohydrate levels produced the most numerous broods of the southern pine beetle.