Population fluctuation of the main debarking insects associated with pine (Pinus oocarpa, L.) in Matagalpa, Nicaragua

Abstract

The pine bark beetle Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: subfamily Scolytidae) is the most destructive and economically important insect in the pine forests of Nicaragua. In San Ramón, Matagalpa, there are about 660 hectares of pine forests, although from time to time damage by bark strippers is reported, scientific studies on these important forest insects have never been done. The purpose of this study was to generate scientific information on the main pine debarking insects in Yucul. The study was conducted from April to October 2014. Four Lindgren Funnel non sticky traps were installed at this site, which are standard traps for monitoring pine bark beetle populations. At this site, the traps were placed 30 meters apart and the pheromone Frontalin® + Alpha pinene (turpentine) was added as insect attractants. The population fluctuation of the main debarking insects associated with pine trees in Yucul, San Ramón, Matagalpa was described. This information can be useful to design and implement better silvicultural and pest management practices in pines.