The Canadian Entomologist (2013) 145, 12-19

K.P. Bleiker, R.J. Heron, E.C. Braithwaite and G.D. Smith (2013)
Preemergence mating in the mass-attacking bark beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
The Canadian Entomologist 145 (1), 12-19
Abstract: The mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) kills its hosts by attacking en masse and overwhelming tree defences. Young adult beetles completing development under the bark may have the opportunity to mate with siblings or with brood from adjacent galleries prior to emerging from the natal host tree. We investigated the incidence of preemergence mating among female beetles at two locations in the recently expanded range of the insect in northern Alberta, Canada. Female beetles emerging from under the bark late in the emergence period were more likely to be mated upon emergence than beetles that emerged earlier. Delaying emergence of brood adults once they were at the teneral adult stage had little effect on the incidence of preemergence mating. The frequency of preemergence mating varied from 3-12% among female beetles. This is higher than the 1-2% reported in other studies within the historic range of the mountain pine beetle. Reasons for these differences are discussed.
(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): Katherine Bleiker, Gregory D. Smith

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.
	Dendroctonus ponderosae		Canada (west)