Role of Oleoresin Flow in Initial Colonization of Loblolly Pine by Southern Pine Beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

The influence of total resin flow in loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., on initial colonization by the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), was investigated. Resin flow of trees was manipulated mechanically so that it followed the same pattern of decrease and near cessation as seen in trees successfully attacked by southern pine beetle. There were also intermediate treatments where resin flow was allowed to recover after near cessation. Beetles were introduced by means of mesh cages attached to the mid-bole of trees and left until the end of the longest wounding treatment. In trees where resin flow was reduced, significant increases in number of attacks, total gallery length, and length of gallery free of resin occurred.