Variations in jack pine (Pinus banksiana) monoterpene composition and subsequent effects on pheromone production by mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae)

• Author / Creator

  Taft, Spencer

• The secondary compounds of pines (Pinus) can strongly affect the physiology, ecology and behaviour of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) that feed on host sub-cortical tissues. Jack pine (Pinus banksiana) has a wide distribution range in North America and thus variations in its secondary compounds, particularly monoterpenes, could affect the host expansion of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae), which has recently attacked jack pine as a novel host and expanded its range into the boreal forest. I analyzed variations in monoterpene composition of jack pine foliage and phloem from natural and provenance stands representing populations from Alberta to the Atlantic coast. Additionally, the effects of variations in phloem monoterpene composition on pheromone production by mountain pine beetle were analyzed.
  Throughout its range, jack pine foliage monoterpenes were classified into three chemotypes characterized by high proportions of the monoterpenes α-pinene, β-pinene, or limonene. Expression of these chemotypes was controlled by both genetic and environmental factors and individual monoterpenes were correlated with climatic variables differently. Conversely, phloem monoterpenes were classified into groups characterized by high amounts of the monoterpenes (+)-α-pinene, 3-carene or no notably high individual compound and beetle aggregation and anti-aggregation pheromone production varied with these groups. Furthermore, pheromone production also varied between provinces, with the most aggregation pheromone produced in trees from Manitoba and Quebec. These results indicate that pheromone production by D. ponderosae will vary with host chemistry but remain a viable and important aspect of its survival and persistence in the boreal forest.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Mountain pine beetle
  • Pheromones
  • Chemical ecology
  • Monoterpenes
  • Dendroctonus ponderoae
  • Jack pine
  • Phytochemistry

• Graduation date

  Spring 2015

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3VQ2SH4S

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.