Survival of Self-marked Mountain Pine Beetles Emerged Form Logs Dusted with Fluorescent Powder

Abstract

Mountain pine beetles, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopk. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), were allowed to emerge in the laboratory from naturally infested lodgepole pine bolts, which had been heavily dusted with dry fluorescent (Day-Glo) powder. Emergent beetles were collected daily and stored at 5°C. Mortality was assessed daily for 21 days , after which the insects were killed. All dead beetles were examined under UV light for the presence and degree of marking. The survival of marked beetles was compared to that of unmarked beetles from control bolts. Analysis of variance showed no difference in mortality rate due to the treatment.