Journal of Applied Entomology - Zeitschrift für angewandte Entomologie (1999) 123, 77-82

M.K. Loyning and L.R. Kirkendall (1999)
Notes on the mating system of Hylesinus varius (F.) (Col., Scolytidae), a putatively bigynous bark beetle
Journal of Applied Entomology - Zeitschrift für angewandte Entomologie 123 (2), 77-82
Abstract: Previous research has left confusion about central features of the mating system of the common ash bark beetle Hylesinus varius; in particular, reports conflict as to whether this species is monogynous or bigynous. It was found that females initiated egg tunnel construction; copulation takes place either on the bark in the initial phase of egg tunnel construction, or inside the tunnel system. Observations of one male copulating with several females and of solitary females in galleries with eggs suggested that the males sometimes leave after copulation. In contrast to findings for populations in Slovakia, Norwegian male H. varius were most commonly paired with only one female. Bigynous galleries contained significantly more eggs than monogynous galleries, but bigynous males did not double their reproductive success as found in some other bigynous bark beetles. This suggests that bigynous galleries at first are the work of one female but some males are later joined by a second female.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Lawrence R. Kirkendall

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Leperisinus varius		Norway