Life history of Phloeosinus armatus Reiter and P. aubei Perris (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in Israel

The life history of Phloeosinus armatus Reiter and of P. aubei Perris (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) was studied in Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) in ornamental and forest stands in Israel during 1980–1983. Attack of the host, beetle development and seasonal life cycles were investigated on trap-trees. Both species are distributed throughout the country and were recorded mainly from Cupressus spp. but also from other Cupressaceae. They breed on stems and branches of well-developed trees which are suffering from sudden stress due to drought, fire, root damage, or heavy infestation by the fungus Seiridium cardinale (Wag.). The first attempts to bore into a trap-tree were made by P. armatus. Information concerning body dimensions of adults, gallery density and length, and egg density, are presented for both species, as is a detailed description of the gallery system. Head capsule measurements indicated four larval instars for P. armatus. Both species produced between three and four annual generations. P. armatus was recorded at Ilanot (in the coastal plain) throughout the year, while P. aubei was not found during the winter. Nine hymenopterous parasites, two predacious beetles and one associated borer were recorded from material infested with Phloeosinus. © 1984, Springer Science + Business Media B.V.. All rights reserved.