Niche of insect borers within Pinus massoniana infected by pine wood nematode

Abstract

In November 2003 and June 2004, the insect borers and their spatial distribution within Pinus massoniana were investigated in Zhoushan City, in East China’s Zhejiang Province, where pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) are typically found. The niche width, proportional similarity of niche and the niche overlap of dominant species of dying trees were computed. Results show that five insect species infect and damage Pinus massoniana, which had been infected by pine wood nematodes, among which four are wood boring beetles and one termite. Species within host trees vary from winter to summer and all the species have their own niche width, proportional similarity of niche and the niche overlap. They can achieve competitive equilibrium and coexistence according to their biological characteristics and life habits.