Dendroctonus murrayanae

Hopkins, 1909

Lodgepole Pine Beetle

Dendroctonus murrayanae, commonly known as the lodgepole pine , is a in the Scolytinae. It is to North America and primarily associated with lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). Unlike more aggressive Dendroctonus species, it is not a primary agent of tree mortality and typically attacks individual, predisposed trees rather than conducting mass attacks. The species has one , as .

Dendroctonus murrayanae by (c) Javier E. Mercado, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Dendroctonus murrayanae f11060656 2c by Javier E. Mercado. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dendroctonus murrayanae: //dɛnˈdrɒktənəs ˌmʌrəˈjaɪˌni//

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Habitat

Found in forests dominated by lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). attack trees near ground level at low . Susceptible trees are typically physically damaged, have thin foliage, or are otherwise predisposed to . Often co-occurs with Pseudips (=Ips) mexicanus, Ips pini, and Hylurgops porosus in the same trees; seldom found with mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae).

Distribution

North America. Documented in Idaho and Montana based on biological studies. Distribution records also include Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario in Canada.

Seasonality

One indicated. Overwinters as . activity and -laying occur during the growing season.

Diet

and feed on phloem of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta).

Host Associations

  • Pinus contorta - lodgepole pine; primary tree

Life Cycle

galleries constructed upward and usually have short . Mating occurs in the egg gallery. Eggs laid in elongated group in shallow excavation along one side of egg gallery, not in individual . aggregate in communal chamber, feeding side by side, but separate before . Four larval . One ; overwinters as larvae.

Behavior

Attacks individual trees, not in groups. Constructs galleries upward from entrance point. exhibit communal feeding in shared chamber before separating for .

Ecological Role

Secondary that contributes to decomposition of weakened or damaged lodgepole pines. Not a primary tree-killing agent. No or commensal observed in chambers in studied .

Human Relevance

Minor forest pest compared to other Dendroctonus . Not a primary economic concern due to non-aggressive attack and preference for already-stressed trees.

Similar Taxa

  • Dendroctonus ponderosaeBoth are Dendroctonus associated with pines, but D. murrayanae is distinguished by non-aggressive, individual tree attacks near ground level versus mass attacks by D. ponderosae; D. murrayanae seldom co-occurs with D. ponderosae
  • Dendroctonus rufipennisTaxonomically related ; D. murrayanae has been discussed in relation to spruce based on morphological characters, though they occupy different tree

More Details

Taxonomic Character

A new character on the has been described for this , contributing to its distinction from related .

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Sources and further reading