Environmental Entomology (1990) 19, 1010-1016

Haggai Podoler, Zvi Mendel and Hana Livne (1990)
Studies on the biology of a bark beetle predator, Aulonium ruficorne (Coleoptera: Colydiidae)
Environmental Entomology 19 (4), 1010-1016
Abstract: Densities of adult Aulonium ruficorne Olivier were significantly higher when the beetle prey, Orthotomicus erosus (Wollaston), were in the first two instars. Under controlled conditions, adult longevity was 33.5 d. Female A. ruficorne were more abundant during bark beetle colonization and, later, during the bark beetles' larval stage. However, males outnumbered females during bark beetle oviposition. Eggs were laid under bark scales, in crevices, and in bark beetle frass. The egg distribution was mainly a function of the bark scale distribution and was independent of distance from egg tunnels. There are four or five larval instars. The thermal constant of A. ruficorne is 571 degree-days (lower temperature threshold, 11.3°C). The predator can feed on all immature stages of the bark beetles O. erosus and Pityogenes calcaratus Eichhoff. However, larvae and adults were recorded gnawing bark, and wood particles were observed inside the alimentary canal. In simulated pine tree systems, adults consumed 0.6-1.9 bark beetle eggs or neonates. The combined effect of adults and larvae suggest that this predator might reduce the population of the bark beetles by up to 90% during spring and autumn and by 30-50% during summer.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Zvi Mendel

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Orthotomicus erosus	Pine (Pinus)	Israel
	Pityogenes calcaratus	Pine (Pinus)	Israel
Aulonium ruficorne (predator)	Orthotomicus erosus	Pine (Pinus)	Israel
Aulonium ruficorne (predator)	Pityogenes calcaratus	Pine (Pinus)	Israel