The Monoterpene Composition of Pinus ponderosa Xylem Resin and of Dendroctonus brevicomis Pitch Tubes

Abstract

A set of correction factors was developed to convert the monoterpene analysis of a Dendroctonus brevicomis pitch tube to a resin analysis of the same Pinus ponderosa . These factors were used to compare the monoterpene composition of 202 living trees with that of 88 trees fatally attacked by the beetle. The greatest difference was in the myrcene and limonene content, which was significantly higher in the living trees.