IDENTIFICATION OF HOST ORIGIN OF PARASITES OF BARK BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE) BY FATTY ACID COMPOSITION

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Abstract
The free fatty acid composition of the southern pine beetle,Dendroctonus frontalisZimmermann, and associated bark beetles was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. The lipid composition of several species of hymenopterous parasites matched the bark beetle hosts from which they were reared. Lipids from field collected parasites were compared with the lipid composition of possible bark beetle hosts to determine host of origin. Parasites ovipositing on a host were usually found to have a lipid composition matching that host. Approximately 20% of the parasites that were observed attempting to parasitize the southern pine beetle apparently developed on other bark beetle hosts.