The Biology of <i>Pissodes terminalis</i> Hopping (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in California

Abstract

Abstract Pissodes terminalis Hopping attacks the terminal leaders of jack pine and at least two of the four geographic subspecies of lodgepole pine. The development on Pinus contorta murrayana in central California is described and compared with the development on jack pine in Canada. The oviposition period is synchronized with leader elongation, early spring to mid-summer. Feeding of the first three instars is in the phloem-cambial region and the fourth (last) instar is found in the pith. Part of the population completes development in late summer; adults emerge and presumably overwinter in the ground. The balance overwinter usually as mature larvae and occasionally as pupae, completing their development in the spring. Mortality is high and is caused by feeding of associated insects, possibly resin flow, high parasitism and other unknown factors. Seven parasite species from five families were reared.