Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The biology ofRoptrocerus xylophagorum [Hym.: Torymidae], with a note on its taxonomic status

  • Published:
Entomophaga Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The biology of the bark beetle parasitoidRoptrocerus xylophagorum (Ratzeburg) from Georgia, U.S.A., was studied under controlled conditions in Australia. Parasitoids were presented withIps grandicollis Eichhoff in the isolated bark ofPinus radiata D. Don. Females lived up to 24 days at 24°C, and could parasitize up to 11 hosts in a single day. Usually only 1 egg was laid on each paralyzed host. Both larvae and pupae were parasitized, but the former appeared to be preferred. The species was arrhenotokous, and tended to produce more males when parasitizing smallerIps larvae. Males and females required 158Do and 179Do respectively, above a threshold of 13.8°C, to complete development, and their size was dependent on the host stage.

Insects in a 2nd culture ofRoptrocerus from California differed in appearance, although supposedly being the same species. A preliminary cross-breeding experiment provided evidence that the 2 cultures are reproductively isolated.

Résumé

La biologie du parasitoide de scolytes,Roptrocerus xylophagorum Ratzeburg, provenant de Georgie, Etats-Unis, a été étudiée en Australie dans des conditions contrôlées. Les parasitoides ont été mis en présence deIps grandicollis Eichhoff dans des troncs isolés dePinus radiata D. Don. Les femelles vivent jusqu' à 24 j. à 24°C et peuvent parasiter jusqu'à 11 insectes-hôtes dans la même journée. En général, 1 seul œuf est déposé par hôte paralysé. Aussi bien les larves que les nymphes sont parasitées mais les premières sont préférées. Cette espèce est arrhénotoque et a tendance à donner davantage de mâles en présence de larves d'Ips plus petites. Les mâles et les femelles demandent 150 degrés-jours et 179 degrés-jours respectivement, au-dessus du seuil de 13,8°C pour achever leur développement; leur taille est fonction du stade de l'hôte.

Dans un 2ème élevage lesRoptrocerus provenant de Californie avaient un aspect différent, bien qu'il s'agisse en principe de la même espèce. Des essais préliminaires de croisement ont mis en évidence que ces 2 populations sont isolées au point de vue reproduction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ball, J.C. &Dahlsten, D.L. — 1973. Hymenopterous parasites ofIps paraconfusus [Coleoptera: Scolytidae] larvae and their contribution to mortality. I. Influence of host tree and tree diameter on parasitization. —Can. Entomol., 105, 1453–1464.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaver, R.A. — 1966. The biology and immature stages ofEntedon leucogramma (Ratzeburg) [Hymenoptera: Eulophidae], a parasite of bark beetles. —Proc. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond., (Fl) 41, 37–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berisford, C.W. — 1974a. Parasite abundance inIps spp. infestations as influenced by the southern pine beetle. —Environ. Entomol., 3, 695–696.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berisford, C.W. — 1974b. Hymenopterous parasitoids of the eastern juniper bark beetle,Phloeosinus dentatus [Coleoptera: Scolytidae]. —Can. Entomol., 106, 869–872.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berisford, C.W. &Franklin, R.T. — 1971 Attack patterns ofIps avulsus andI. grandicollis [Coleoptera: Scolytidae] on four species of southern pines. —Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am., 64, 894–897.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berisford, C.W., Kulman, H.M. &Pienkowski, R.L.: — 1970. Notes on the biologies of hymenopterous parasites ofIps spp. bark beetles in Virginia. —Can. Entomol., 102, 484–490.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bushing, R.W.. — 1967. Parasites of the western pine beetle,Dendroctonus brevicomis Le Conte [Coleoptera: Scolytidae], with particular reference toRoptrocerus xylophagorum (Ratzeburg) [Hymenoptera: Torymidae] —Ph. D. Thesis Univ. California, Berkeley, 120 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cock, M.J.W. — 1978. The assessment of preference —J. Anim. Ecol., 47, 805–816.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahlsten, D. L. & Bushing, R.W.. — 1970. Insect parasites of the western pine beetle, pp. 113–118. In: Studies on the Population Dynamics of the Western Pine Beetle,Dendroctonus brevicomis Le Conte [Coleoptera: Scolytidae] (R.W. Stark & D.L. Dahlsten eds.). —Univ. California.

  • De Leon, D. — 1934. An annotated list of the parasites, predators, and other associated fauna of the mountain pine beetle in western white pine and lodgepole pine. —Can. Entomol., 66, 51–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dix, M.E. &Franklin, R.T. — 1981. Observations on the behavior of the southern pine beetle parasiteRoptrocerus eccoptogastri Ratz. [Hymenoptera: Torymidae] —J. Georgia Entomol. Soc., 16, 239–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franklin, R.T. — 1969. Hymenopterous parasites of the southern pine beetle in Georgia. —J. Georgia Entomol. Soc., 4, 119–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gargiullo, P.M. &Berisford, C.W. — 1981. Effects of host density and bark thickness on the densities of parasites of the southern pine beetle. —Environ. Entomol., 10, 392–399.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goyer, R.A. &Finger, C.K. — 1980. Relative abundance and seasonal distribution of the major hymenopterous parasites of the southern pine beetle,Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann on loblolly pine. —Environ. Entomol., 9, 97–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, M.W.R. de V. — 1969. ThePteromalidae of north-western Europe [Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea]. —Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Entomol., suppl. 16, Lond. 908 pp.

  • Krombein, K.V., Hurd, P.D. Jr, Smith, D.R., Burks, B.D. et al. — 1979. Catalog ofHymenoptera in America North of Mexico. Vol. 1.Symphyta and Apocrita (Parasitica). —Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendel, Z. &Halperin, J. — 1981. Parasites of bark beetles [Col.: Scolytidae] in pine and cypress in Israel. —Entomophaga, 26, 375–379.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, F.D. — 1967.Ips grandicollis in South Australia. —Aust. For., 31, 137–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohmart, C.P. &Voigt, W.G. — 1982. Temporal and spatial arrival patterns ofIps plastographus maritimus [Coleoptera: Scolytidae], and its insect associates on freshly felledPinus radiata in California. —Can. Entomol., 114, 337–348.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, S.V. &DeBach, P. — 1969. Experimental hybridization and an interpretation of evolutionary relationships among the species. —Hilgardia, 39, 515–553.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, R.W. — 1957. The bark beetle complex associated with lodgepole pine slash in Alberta. Part II — Notes on the biologies of several hymenopterous parasites. —Can. Entomol., 89, 5–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R.B. &Rudinsky, J.A. — 1962. Biology and habits of the Douglas-fir beetle parasite,Coeloides brunneri Viereck [Hymenoptera: Braconidae], in western Oregon. —Can. Entomol., 94, 748–763.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkinson, R.C.. — 1963. Larval instars and head capsule morphology in three southeasternIps bark beetles. —Fla. Entomol., 46, 19–22.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. P. R. Samson

    Present address: Entomology Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Meiers Road, 4068, Indooroopilly, Qld, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Waite Agricultural Research Institute, 5064, Glen Osmond, S.A., Australia

    P. R. Samson

Authors
  1. P. R. Samson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Samson, P.R. The biology ofRoptrocerus xylophagorum [Hym.: Torymidae], with a note on its taxonomic status. Entomophaga 29, 287–298 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372116

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372116

Keywords

Search

Navigation