Open AccessTaxonomic Status of Scolytus opacus and Scolytus abietis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) : A Comparative Study
Author(s) -
Armando Equihua-Martínez,
Malcolm M. Furniss
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
annals of the entomological society of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.671
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1938-2901
pISSN - 0013-8746
DOI - 10.1603/008.102.0403
Subject(s) - biology , curculionidae , botany , abies lasiocarpa , zoology , pinus contorta
Anatomical features of male and female Scolytus opacus Blackman, infesting Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.), and Scolytus abietis Blackman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), infesting Abies grandis (Douglas) and Abies concolor (Gord. & Glend.), were compared by light and scanning electron microscopy. Diagnostic features involve body size; striations on the underside of the head, which have a stridulatory function; shape of the submentum; and several characters on abdominal sternites 1 and 2. Because of differences in these features of the two taxa, and because the two populations infest different tree species and are sympatric in Idaho, we reinstate S. abietis as a valid species.