Life History of Conophthorus radiatae (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) and its Principal Parasite, Cephalonomia utahensis (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae)1

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Abstract
Conophthorus radiatae Hopkins is the principal pest of Monterey pine cones along the coast of central California. There is one generation per year. Adults overwinter within tut cones in which they matured during the previous season and emerge in late February and March to attack 2-year-old pine cones. The female constructs a gallery which severs the vascular tissues of the cone, causing its death. From 1 to 30 eggs are deposited singly in small niches and in the frass of the main gallery; under field conditions they hatch in about 25 days. There are two larval instars, the first requiring 15 to 20 days, the second 30 to 40 clays; the pupal period lasts 15 to 20 days. Most of the callow adults remain within the same aborted cone until the following year. Developmental periods for each of the immature stages under controlled conditions are given. The number of cones killed is extremely variable, but is over 90% in some stands. The principal natural enemy is a bethylid parasite, Cephalonomia utahensis Brues, whose life history is described.

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