Resumo

CUELLAR-RODRIGUEZ, Gerardo et al. Time-space analysis of Pinus cembroides Zucc. forest attacked by Dendroctonus mexicanus Hopkins. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2013, vol.4, n.17, pp.42-49. ISSN 2007-1132.

In recent decades, infestation by the Mexican pine beetle (Dendroctonus mexicanus) has spread in the Pinus cembroides forests of southern state of Nuevo Leon. To understand the attack behavior of this bark beetle we implemented a surveillance system in Aramberri, in the south of the state of Nuevo Leon. 11 693.5 has of Pinus cembroides forests were monitored between October 2008 and October 2012. The monitoring system included aerial and ground surveillance to detect outbreak sites of Dendroctonus mexicanus. Every two years the infested area was quantified, as were the topographical characteristics and the direction of the spreading heads. Between October 2008 and October 2012, D. mexicanus infested 1 428.95 has of P. cembroides forests (12% of the forest). The number of damaged hectares diminished significantly from the beginning of the experiment in 2008, when there were 438.5 has, to the last assessment in 2012, when only 74.1 has under attack were found. Most infestations occurred at the summits and upper parts of the slopes, and the advancing fronts displayed a downward movement. This behavior may be related to the density of the forests.

Palavras-chave : Time-space analysis; Dendroctonus mexicanus Hopkins; bark beetle; Pinus cembroides Zucc.; Scolytinae.