Lasconotus

Erichson, 1845

cylindrical bark beetles

Species Guides

Lasconotus borealis(Boreal Ironclad Beetle)
Lasconotus fitzgibbonae
Lasconotus intricatus(Intricate Ironclad Beetle)
Lasconotus laqueatus
Lasconotus linearis
Lasconotus nucleatus
Lasconotus pusillus
Lasconotus referendarius
Lasconotus servus

Lasconotus is a of cylindrical bark beetles in the Zopheridae, established by Erichson in 1845. The genus contains at least 20 described . Members are associated with coniferous forests, particularly spruce systems. Some species exhibit specialized behavioral adaptations, including attraction to bark beetle .

Lasconotus intricatus by (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon. Used under a CC-BY license.

Lasconotus vegrandis by (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lasconotus: /læskoʊˈnoʊtəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Habitat

Associated with coniferous forests, particularly spruce (Picea) systems. Lasconotus intricatus has been documented in association with black spruce (Picea mariana) infested by the four-eyed spruce bark beetle, Polygraphus rufipennis.

Distribution

Distribution records exist from Norway (NO) and Sweden (SE) based on GBIF data. -specific distributions are poorly documented; L. intricatus is associated with North American spruce forests.

Seasonality

Lasconotus intricatus shows activity in spring and summer, with high temporal synchronism to the four-eyed spruce bark beetle Polygraphus rufipennis.

Host Associations

Picea mariana - associationblack spruce; tree for associated bark beetles
Polygraphus rufipennis - ecological associationfour-eyed spruce bark beetle; Lasconotus intricatus attracted to its

Behavior

Lasconotus intricatus is attracted to the male-produced 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol of Polygraphus rufipennis. This attraction is reduced by terpenes bornyl acetate and β-pinene, and partially inhibited by 3-carene, myrcene, and α-pinene. The is hypothesized to use this pheromone as a host-finding .

Ecological Role

Likely or in bark beetle gallery systems in coniferous trees. Lasconotus intricatus appears to track bark beetle through chemical cues, suggesting a predatory or commensal relationship with scolytine beetles.