Pine-forests
Guides
Monochamus titillator
Southern Pine Sawyer
Monochamus titillator is a large longhorned beetle native to the United States, commonly known as the southern pine sawyer. Adults are notable for their elongated antennae, particularly in males, which may exceed body length. The species develops in pine trees and has been documented to respond to kairomones produced by bark beetles, suggesting ecological interactions with these forest pests. Larvae produce distinctive acoustic signals detectable in the 1000-2800 Hz range, a trait that has been explored for detecting southern pine beetle infestations.
Monotomidae
Minute Clubbed Beetles
Monotomidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Nitiduloidea, containing approximately 240 species in 33 genera. The family exhibits diverse ecological habits: members occur under tree bark, in decaying vegetation, on flowers, and in ant nests. Some species are mycophagous, feeding on ascomycete fungi, while others are predatory. The genus Rhizophagus includes species that prey on bark beetles and their immature stages.
Schlettererius
Schlettererius is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Stephanidae. The best-studied species, S. cinctipes, is a parasitoid of wood-boring insects, particularly the invasive woodwasp Sirex noctilio in pine forests. Adults possess extremely long ovipositors used to drill through wood to reach host larvae. The genus has been used as a biological control agent and has shown evidence of transcontinental movement across North America, tracking the spread of its hosts.