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Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial
Feeding Habits
Adults: phytophagous
Immatures: phytophagous
Size: 1 to 9 mm
Flight : strong flier
North American Species: 476
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Coleoptera Scolytidae
Bark beetles and ambrosia beetles
Front Wings: hardened
Hind Wings: membranous
Mouthparts: chewing
Antenna Length: shorter than body
Antenna Shape: clubbed
Front Legs: unmodified
Hind Legs: unmodified
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.
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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.
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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.
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