The biology of samoan bark and ambrosia beetles (coleoptera, scolytidae and platypodidae)

Abstract

AbstractA total of 56 species of Scolytidae and four species of Platypodidae, 25 of which are endemic, is recorded from Samoa (American and Western Samoa). The nomenclature of earlier species records is brought up to date and the following changes are made: Xyleborus torquatus Eichhoff=X. silvestris Beeson syn. n.; X. wilderi Beeson=X. upoluensis Schedl syn. n.; Eccoptopterus eccoptopterus (Schedl) comb. n. (from Xyleborus). Brief notes are given of the distribution, biology and host trees of each species, with special reference to 41 species found in a survey of the island of Upolu (Western Samoa). Species causing damage were Crossotarsus externedentatus (Fairmaire) found attacking living Eucalyptus trees, and Hypothenemus birmanus (Eichhoff), involved in the death of some mango transplants. Eighteen species of potential economic importance in relation to Samoan crop and timber trees are divided into four groups: potential pests of seedlings and transplants; of established living trees as twig borers; of living trees as primary timber borers; of felled logs and unseasoned sawn timber.