Abstract

GONZALEZ-MEDINA, Rebeca Eugenia; EQUIHUA MARTINEZ, Armando; MENDOZA BRISENO, Martín Alfonso  and  CIBRIAN TOVAR, David. Relationship between barkbeetles (coleóptera: scolytidae) and vitality in Pinus hartwegii Lindl. forests. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2010, vol.1, n.2, pp.121-133. ISSN 2007-1132.

Forest health was contrasted against bark beetle (Coleoptera Scolytidae) diversity in two Pinus hartwegii forests at the southeast (Parque Nacional Zoquiapan y Anexas), and south (Parque Nacional Cumbres del Ajusco) from Mexico City, Mexico. Zoquiapan is less accessible and has an apparent better health than Ajusco. Bark beetle specimens were extracted from trees in 10 permanent plots in each location. Plots were subjectively selected in transects at both forests from July 1996 though January 1997. Variables recorded at each plot include: foliage length, color and retention, damaged leaf area, top and stem form, presence of callus cankers or bark beetle symptoms on the stem, severity of mistletoe attack, stand density, tree age, height and normal diameter. As expected, forest health indicators had better scores in Zoquiapan than Ajusco, though differences were insufficient to cause meaningful differences in diversity between locations (13 species present in Zoquiapan, 14 in Ajusco; 10 species in common). Abundance of bark beetles was smaller in Ajusco (508 against 3067 insects), though both population were small, suggesting a low risk scenario. , Ips bonanseai was the most abundant species (80% of sample); this species also indicates a low risk situation. Interpretation of results leads to an early successional scene, as corroborated by stand structure data. Current condition may be a product of a history of previous pest control treatments on both forests, and the usual management policy for national parks.

Keywords : Abundance; bark beetles; Ips bonanseai Hopk ; Pinus hartwegii Lindl; richness; forest health.

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