Jd. Reeve et al., EXTENDED DEVELOPMENT IN THANASIMUS-DUBIUS (F) (COLEOPTERA, CLERIDAE),A PREDATOR OF THE SOUTHERN PINE-BEETLE, Journal of entomological science, 31(1), 1996, pp. 123-131
Thanasimus dubius (F.) is an important predator of the southern pine b
eetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, a major pest of pine forests
in the southern United States. We examined the development of T. dubi
us in the field using emergence traps, and by sampling the bark of tre
es previously attacked by D. frontalis. Over a 2-year period, several
distinct episodes of T. dubius emergence occurred in trees enclosed by
emergence traps, and bark sampling of other trees uncovered many T. d
ubius immatures almost 2 years after attack by D. frontalis. These res
ults indicate that T. dubius development may be significantly longer a
nd more variable under natural conditions than previously thought, and
suggest that some individuals may undergo a diapause.