Interactions between the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) and whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelmann)

• Author / Creator

  Esch, Evan D.

• I compared life history traits between mountain pine beetles (MPB) utilizing whitebark pine and lodgepole pine to better understand how host use could affect MPB impact in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada. Neither host was obviously better in terms of quality for or susceptibility to the MPB, although whitebark pines with the thickest phloem produced significantly larger adult MPB. Thus, large diameter whitebark pines with thick phloem will contribute as much or more to the transition of MPB populations from endemic to epidemic status than will similarly large lodgepole pines. For some MPBs, a univoltine life-cycle was observed, suggesting that climatic barriers that have constrained high altitude MPB populations in the past are moderating, meaning that this endangered pine is at greater risk of MPB attack. Host species also influenced the assemblage of dead wood inhabiting beetles with seven uncommon species having potential to be specialists in whitebark pine.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Life history traits
  • Population dynamics
  • Host quality
  • Insect biodiversity

• Graduation date

  Spring 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3Q98H

• 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.