Anzeiger für Schädlingskunde, Pflanzenschutz, Umweltschutz (1996) 69, 183-185

Gabriela Lobinger and U. Skatulla (1996)
Untersuchungen zum Einfluß von Sonnenlicht auf das Schwärmverhalten von Borkenkäfern
[Influence of light on the swarming behaviour of bark beetles]
Anzeiger für Schädlingskunde, Pflanzenschutz, Umweltschutz 69 (8), 183-185
Abstract: With the aid of electronic registration equipment and other experimental methods, it could be shown that the flight behaviour of spruce bark beetles to pheromone sources is strongly influence by the prevailing light conditions. There is a definite preference for sunny conditions. Even during sunny periods of only a few minutes, significantly more beetles were flying than during overcast periods.
A similar pattern of behaviour was observed for P. chalcographus, but there was no statistical evidence.
This preference was also seen when pheromone baited traps were set up in a northerly direction with low sunlight levels and a southerly direction with strong sunlight. In the traps facing south 4,2 times more lps typographus were caught than in the north facing traps. P. chalcographus preferred the sunnier traps at a ratio of 1,66.
These results confirm the fact that at the beginning of an infestation of forest the southerly regions were first to be attacked by spruce bark beetles. Even there trees were first affected where they were exposed to sun during the daily main period of flight activity.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: German)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Gabriela Lobinger

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pityogenes chalcographus	Spruce (Picea)