Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults: phytophagous
Immatures: phytophagous

North American
Species: 476

Coleoptera Scolytidae
Bark beetles and ambrosia beetles

Special Characteristics: Scolytidae are 1 to 9 mm in length but rarely more than 3 mm. They are usually black or brownish in colour, cylindrical and robust, and they have a short snout. The head , which is narrower than the pronotum, is often not seen from the top. The antennae are short, elbowed and clubbed. Bark beetles have a large spine or projection at the end of the front tibiae.

Comments: Bark beetle adults and larvae feed on the inner bark of the trees. Ambrosia beetles bore into the wood of trees and feed on a form of fungus which they cultivate and then feed to the larvae. Bark beetles live in the bark of trees right at the surface of the wood. Most of them feed in dying trees but some may attack healthy trees, particularly conifers, and kill them. Ambrosia beetles infest only living or freshly killed trees which have a high moisture content.

Species:
Dendroctonus valens LeConte

Common Name:
Red turpentine beetle

Feeding Habits: Larvae feed on inner bark of pines, spruce, larch or fir trees.

Distribution:
Widespread in southern Canada.

Comments:
This species is common in coniferous forests. This species is 5.7 to 9 mm in length.