Comparison of Loblolly and Shortleaf Pine Bolts as Hosts of the Southern Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

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Abstract
Southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, adults were introduced to 2-m bolts of loblolly, Pinus taeda L., and shortleaf pine, P. echinata Mill., to determine the effect of host species on the beetle's reproductive potential. A multivariate analysis of variance test revealed significant differences in parent gallery characteristics between host species. Although the average distance between egg niches was similar in both species, the average parent gallery was almost 90 mm longer in the shortleaf bolts. No statistically significant differences were found in average brood survival or average brood length. However, loblolly pine bolts consistently produced more brood adults. The sex ratio of emerged brood was not significantly different from 1:1 for either host species.