Dendroctonus mexicanus

Hopkins, 1905

Mexican bark beetle

Dendroctonus mexicanus is a bark beetle native to Mexico and Central America, recognized as the most widely distributed and destructive bark beetle in Mexico. It colonizes more than 21 pine and causes significant tree mortality in coniferous forests. The species' are strongly influenced by climate variables, particularly temperature and precipitation, with risk increasing under warmer, drier conditions. It is considered a major forest pest affecting wood supply and services.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dendroctonus mexicanus: /dɛnˈdrɔktənəs mɛksɪˈkanəs/

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Habitat

Temperate coniferous forests in mountainous regions of Mexico and Central America; specifically associated with pine forests in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and Sierra Madre del Sur physiographic provinces; elevations ranging from 104 to 3,641 meters; mean temperatures 8-30°C; annual precipitation 400-2,000 mm

Distribution

Mexico and Central America; most common in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, particularly in the Transversal Volcanic Belt in the northeastern part of the state; widely distributed across Mexican pine forests with suitable climate conditions for pine

Diet

Phloem of pine trees

Host Associations

Pinus pseudostrobus -
Pinus oocarpa -
Pinus maximinoi -
Pinus leiophylla -
coniferous trees - general association with coniferous forests

Behavior

favored by low precipitation, high temperatures, forest fire occurrence, and large homogeneous mature stands; has been observed to coexist on the same tree as Dendroctonus frontalis

Ecological Role

Biotic regulator of forest stands; plays important roles in forest stand and in determining forest structure and composition; most damaging forest pest in Mexico causing tree death and affecting wood supply and services

Human Relevance

Major economic pest of pine forests in Mexico; causes tree death affecting timber production and services; risk expected to increase under future climate scenarios (2015-2039), with high-risk areas expanding from 3.9% to 5.0% of forest area in Michoacán

Similar Taxa

Dendroctonus frontalisBoth are conifer bark beetles in the same that occur in Mexico and have been documented coexisting on the same tree; D. frontalis is distinguished by its primary distribution in eastern North America and different host preferences, though ranges overlap in Mexico
Dendroctonus terebransRelated bark beetle in same with similar and bark-boring habits; distinguished by distribution in eastern North America and preference for lower trunk
Dendroctonus simplexRelated conifer bark beetle in same ; distinguished by specialization on tamarack (Larix laricina) in northern North America and different climate adaptations