Dendroctonus jeffreyi
Hopkins, 1909
Jeffrey pine beetle
Dendroctonus jeffreyi is a bark beetle in the Curculionidae, Scolytinae, to western North America. The is monophagous on Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi), feeding on phloem and causing significant tree mortality during conditions. bore into bark to create chambers, with larvae developing in galleries under the bark. The possesses specialized mycangia for transporting the symbiotic fungus Ophiostoma clavigerum, which contributes to tree mortality. show genetic structure across their range, with southern California populations most differentiated.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Dendroctonus jeffreyi: //dɛnˈdrɒktənəs ˈdʒɛfri.aɪ//
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Habitat
Jeffrey pine forests; occurs in coniferous forests dominated by its tree Pinus jeffreyi, from southwestern Oregon through California to western Nevada and Baja California. Found at elevations ranging from approximately 6,200 feet to over 8,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada.
Distribution
Western North America: southwestern Oregon, California (Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains), western Nevada, and Baja California. GBIF records confirm presence in Middle America and North America.
Diet
Phloem of Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi); and larvae feed on the inner bark and phloem tissue of trees.
Host Associations
- Pinus jeffreyi - obligate Monophagous; sole tree
- Ophiostoma clavigerum - mutualistMycangial fungus transported by ; vectored to trees and contributes to tree mortality
Life Cycle
laid under bark of trees; larvae develop in phloem galleries; occurs in gallery chambers; emerge to colonize new hosts. Development timing varies with temperature; may produce multiple in favorable conditions.
Behavior
bore into bark to establish galleries; mass attack during ; males produce including (+) and (−)-frontalin and (+)-exo-brevicomin; females produce 1-heptanol as principal pheromone component; both sexes attracted to 1-heptanol plus resin component heptane; possesses mycangia for fungal transport.
Ecological Role
Primary pest of Jeffrey pine; causes significant tree mortality during ; for Ophiostoma clavigerum fungus; contributes to forest and fuel load dynamics; alters forest composition and structure through selective mortality of conifer.
Human Relevance
Major forest pest causing economic losses through timber mortality; management through cutting and removal of infested trees; subject of research for monitoring and potential control; fire hazard concerns due to standing dead trees following .
Similar Taxa
- Dendroctonus ponderosaeMountain pine beetle; similar size and ; distinguished by preference (primarily Pinus ponderosa and other pine ), different chemistry, and geographic overlap in some areas
- Dendroctonus frontalisSouthern pine beetle; similar gallery patterns and ; distinguished by geographic range (eastern North America), preferences for southern pines, and composition
- Dendroctonus brevicomisWestern pine beetle; similar and ; distinguished by preference for Pinus ponderosa and different components
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Publications | Entomology Research Museum
- The Day That The Beetles Invaded the Bohart | Bug Squad
- Trees of Lake Tahoe – The Pines | Beetles In The Bush
- Southern Pine Beetle: How a Fellow Species May Help in Host Location
- Managing Southern Pine Beetle Infestations in a Changing Forest Environment
- Eastern Larch Beetle Outbreak Keeps Going When Winter's Not So Cold
- Identification of Semiochemicals Associated with Jeffrey Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus jeffreyi
- Allozyme diversity and gene flow in the bark beetle, Dendroctonus jeffreyi (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)
- Allozyme diversity and gene flow in Ophiostoma clavigerum (Ophiostomatales: Ophiostomataceae), the mycangial fungus of the Jeffrey pine beetle, Dendroctonus jeffreyi (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)