Species Details
Dendroctonus simplex
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameLarch Beetle
SeasonalityFlight period is from early May through to late August.
IdentificationThis species has a coarsely punctured but smooth frons, as well as a coarsely punctured pronotum and declivity. It can be distinguished from its closest ally, D. pseudotsugae, by its distribution and smaller size in sympatric regions.
Scientific Name
Dendroctonus simplex
Common Name
Larch Beetle
Habitat
Dying or injured trees such as windfall or stumps; may attack live trees.
Seasonality
Flight period is from early May through to late August.
Identification
This species has a coarsely punctured but smooth frons, as well as a coarsely punctured pronotum and declivity. It can be distinguished from its closest ally, D. pseudotsugae, by its distribution and smaller size in…
This species has a coarsely punctured but smooth frons, as well as a coarsely punctured pronotum and declivity. It can be distinguished from its closest ally, D. pseudotsugae, by its distribution and smaller size in sympatric regions.
Life History
This species overwinters as young adults or as larvae. The mature adults will emerge in the spring to excavate new galleries. The galleries have egg grooves in them but no egg niches. Oviposition will begin in the…
This species overwinters as young adults or as larvae. The mature adults will emerge in the spring to excavate new galleries. The galleries have egg grooves in them but no egg niches. Oviposition will begin in the last week of May. Eggs are laid in groups of 3 to 6 eggs. The eggs hatch within one week and the larvae will then develop with about 27 days. The larvae will then pupate for 7 days. After pupation the adults will spend the remaining time of the year in the gallery, and overwinter. In any given year a mature female may excavate 2 or 3 galleries.
Conservation
This species is considered to be a minor pest.
Diet Info
This species feeds on Larix laricina (Larch).
Range
This beetle is found across Canada and is also in the US (in AK, ME, MI, MN, NH, NY, VT and WV).
Citation
Page Citation for Dendroctonus simplex
Page Citation
"Species Details - Dendroctonus simplex, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4718. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
References
Author
Wood, S. L.
Title
The Bark and Ambrosia Beeltes of North and Central America (Coleoptera: Scolytidae): A Taxonomic Monograph
Publication Date
1982
Series Title
Great Basin Naturalist Memoirs
Volume
6
Pages
150-203
Specimen Information
There are 11 specimens of this Species.
UASM32217 - Dendroctonus simplex
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Eastern Ontario
UASM32218 - Dendroctonus simplex
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Sudbury
UASM32220 - Dendroctonus simplex
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByCarr, F. S.
Date Collected1915-04-23
UASM32221 - Dendroctonus simplex
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByCarr, F. S.
Date Collected1921-08-17
UASM32222 - Dendroctonus simplex
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByCarr, F. S.
Date Collected1921-08-17
UASM32223 - Dendroctonus simplex
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park, Waterton
Collected ByStrickland, E. H.
Date Collected1937-06-22
UASM32224 - Dendroctonus simplex
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByCarr, F. S.
Date Collected1915-06-28
UASM32225 - Dendroctonus simplex
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByCarr, F. S.
Date Collected1921-08-17
UASM32226 - Dendroctonus simplex
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByCarr, F. S.
Date Collected1915-09-01
UASM32227 - Dendroctonus simplex
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByCarr, F. S.
Date Collected1919-06-01
UASM32229 - Dendroctonus simplex
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByCarr, F. S.