Vibrational Behavior in Bark Beetles: Applied Aspects

Abstract

Acoustic signals are used for intraspecific communication in bark beetles and a variety of stridulatory mechanisms have evolved within the subfamily Scolytinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Bark beetles use stridulatory signals for communication at the tree surface and within tunnels inside tree tissues. Bark beetles produce a variety of call types that are broadband with frequencies ranging from 1 to 80 kHz. Not only are airborne and substrate-borne vibrations available, but every stridulation event produces both airborne and substrate-borne vibrations via the same action of the animal. Vibrations appear to be used during species recognition, premating interactions, pair formation, mate selection, intraspecies aggression, territoriality, and predator deterrence. No sound receptors have been located for bark beetles; however, we propose potential locations in this chapter. We provide an overview of acoustic communication and its use by adult bark beetles, describe their stridulatory structures, interpret how vibrations move within tree materials and how this affects the beetles’ ecology and behavior, and present technical and applied applications of acoustic tools for bark beetle management.