Longevity and Fecundity of Ips calligraphus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in Relation to Slash Pine Phloem Thickness

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Abstract
Longevity and fecundity of Ips calligraphus (Germar) females were studied in relation to phloem thickness at 30°C in typical slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelmann var. elliottii) bolts. Average longevity (days), fecundity (eggs), oviposition rate (OR, eggs per day), and egg density (ED, eggs per cm) were significantly (P < 0.05) greater for females maintained in thick (2.5–3.5 mm) versus thin (1.0–1.5 mm) phloem. Average values were, respectively, 29 and 18 days for longevity, 326 and 160 eggs for fecundity, 12 and 9 eggs per day for OR, and 4.3 and 2.9 eggs per cm for ED. Females switched between thick and thin phloem at 3-day intervals had intermediate longevity (23 days), fecundity (263 eggs), and ED (3.6 eggs per cm) values; ED generally increased when in thick phloem and decreased when in thin phloem. Gallery construction rate (mm per day), OR, and ED were negatively correlated with female age. Physical and nutritional characteristics of xylem, phloem, and outer bark are discussed in relation to the above findings.