The presence of Dendroctonus is different among pine species and their diameters in the Cofre de Perote National Park region, Mexico

Abstract

Mexico has the highest global diversity of pine species, little is known about the Pinus-Dendroctonus interaction. Our questions were: 1) Which species of Dendroctonus can be collected in traps with generalist attractants in a mixed pine forest? 2) Is the presence of Dendroctonus different between pine species and their diameter size classes? 3) What are the relative ecological importance values (VIE) of the pine species? Through quadrant point sampling, 4 species of pines (Pinus montezumae, P. patula, P. pseudostrobus and P. strobus) were recorded, and with the use of traps, 4 species of Dendroctonus (D. adjunctus, D. aproximatus, D. mexicanus and D. valens). There were significant differences in the number of Dendroctonus between diameter categories and pine species. The presence of Dendroctonus was higher in larger diameters, with the exception of P. strobus. Pinus montezumae had the highest number of individuals with Dendroctonus presence, but at the population level, P. patula had the highest proportion of individuals with Dendroctonus (29.4%). The highest VIE was for P. montezumae. We suggest maintaining monitoring of Dendroctonus in P. montezumae and P. patula, due to its economic value in the study region.