Laboratory study of conspecific avoidance by host-colonizingDendroctonus frontalis Zimm. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Bark/phloem disk sandwiches (100 cm²) were colonized with one to six mating pairs of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm., to observe gallery construction and evaluate if avoidance behavior occurs between beetles. Frequencies of turn aways, touches, and crosses (three characteristics used to describe conspecific interaction) all increased significantly with beetle density. A threshold of three mating pairs within the 100- cm² phloem area was the density at which avoidance behavior became evident. At a threshold of five mating pairs the number of gallery crossings was significantly greater than at lower densities. Single and paired female beetles introduced into artificial galleries crossed empty neighboring galleries significantly more often than when neighboring galleries were occupied with other D. frontalis. The data suggest that D. frontalis females can regulate gallery spacing within the host through their ability to detect nearby beetles and their galleries. Possible spacing mechanisms are discussed.