RESOURCE UTILIZATION BY THE SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE, DENDROCTONUS FRONTALIS (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractThe process of resource utilization by Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman attacking loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., was investigated. The quantitative relationship of attacking parent adult D. frontalis as a function of the normalized infested bole height is described by the model y = Ax(1−x)eBx. Greatest attack density occurs at the mid-bole of the tree and tapers toward the top and bottom. Gallery length (and hence eggs)/100 cm2 was independent of attack density. The relationship between gallery length (or eggs) per parent adult and parent adult density is described by the exponential decay curve y = AeBx, indicating that gallery length and egg population density are controlled by a density dependent compensatory feedback process operating instantaneously. Further support for the mechanism was obtained by analyzing the gallery length per parent adult at different locations on the infested bole. The relationship is described by the model y = [AeBx]/[x(1−x)] and indicates that gallery construction and egg population per attacking beetle increase in the upper and basal portion of the bole. The result is a uniform amount of food and space per individual of the developing population.