Abstract

FONSECA GONZALEZ, Alicia et al. Bark beetles and their natural enemies in Abies religiosa (Kunth) Schltdl. et Cham.. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2014, vol.5, n.26, pp.90-97. ISSN 2007-1132.

The Zempoala Lagoons National Park is a natural protected area located in the limits of the states of Morelos and Mexico, where a 20 m tall overripe sacred fir was selected to study the distribution of bark beetles, as well as the presence of their natural enemies at various stem heights. The foliage of the individual has a color ranging from yellow to red, which is characteristic of attack by these organisms. Beetles were collected from the phloem and the cambium of previously extracted 10 x 10 cm bark sections. The identified species were Pseudohylesinus variegatus and Pityophthorus elatinus; the former infested the tree from the base to a height of 7 m, and the latter, from 8 m up to 20 m. The average density was 10.57 ind m^-2, below the stem height of 15.16 m; above this point, the accumulation of Scolytidae increased to an average of 222 ind m^-2. The identified natural enemies included the entomopathogenous fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana; the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, and parasitoids belonging to the Pteromalidae family.

Keywords : Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner; vertical distribution; entomopathogenous fungi; parasitoids; Pityophthorus elatinus Wood; Pseudohylesinus variegatus Blandford.