Dendroctonus brevicomis
This record describes Dendroctonus brevicomis (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The oleoresin of pine bark is rich in volatile terpenes which attract the females who settle to feed on the bark. Once settled they attract males who arrive and release frontalin, which mixes with the female's chemicals (exo-brevicomin and myrcene) to produce a rich pheromone. This elicits mass aggregation. The female control the sex ratio of the population by varying the proportions of the pheromone exuded at any given time.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Scolytinae
- Tribe
- Hylurgini
- Genus
- Dendroctonus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Dendroctonus brevicomis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Dendroctonus brevicomis (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Marci Hess