Variations in Ground White Pine Bark Concentration in Artificial Diet in Relation to Egg Laying, Feeding, and Mortality of Pissodes strobi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract

Variations in concentrations of ground white pine bark incorporated into artificial diet were studied to determine their effect on egg laying and feeding behavior of white pine weevils, Pissodes strobe (Peck). Significant differences in feeding and egg laying responses were detected between adults fed diets containing 5 and 10% ground bark. White pine weevil larvae reared on the diet containing 1% ground bark had a higher mortality level than those reared on the diet containing 5% ground bark. Weevil females fed the diet containing 5% ground bark were significantly heavier than those reared on the diet with 1% ground bark. Insect development times did not differ significantly between the two concentrations of ground bark. Adults exposed to a natural substrate were stimulated to oviposit, and viable eggs were laid.