INFLUENCE OF LOW TEMPERATURES ON ATTACK, OVIPOSITION, AND LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE, DENDROCTONUS PONDEROSAE (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractMountain pine beetles attacked logs, mated, and constructed egg galleries slowly at 4.4 °C under laboratory conditions. No eggs were deposited in 6 weeks. Attack and oviposition increased above this temperature.Larvae of different initial sizes grew at the same rate throughout each test temperature from 4.4 °C to 12.8 °C. Rate of growth increased with increase in temperature. Larval growth at 2.2 °C is difficult to prove because of very high mortality among smallest individuals.