ALTITUDINAL AND SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF Dendroctonus adjunctus Blandford AND Dendroctonus brevicomis Leconte IN COAHUILA, MÉXICO

Abstract

Pine forests (Pinus spp.) across the world are declining due to inappropriate management, climate change, fires, and pine beetle (Dendroctonus spp.) attacks. The objective of this study was to evaluate altitudinal and temporal abundance of D. adjunctus and D. brevicomis and its relationship with temperature and stand characteristics. Two altitudinal transects were established from 2600 to 3300 meters above sea level (masl), using insect traps, each trap made up of eight funnels, located at 100 m intervals of altitude. Insects were collected every two weeks from February 2015 to February 2017. Temperature and stand data were obtained at each sampling site. Results indicated that D. adjunctus and D. brevicomis were more abundant above 3000 masl during spring and summer. Bark beetle abundance was significantly correlated with temperature, basal area and tree density. In conclusion, stand characteristics and pine species present in the stand determine abundance of D. adjunctus and D. brevicomis in the region.