Tomicus piniperda

Beaver, R. A. & Liu, L. Y., 2010, An annotated synopsis of Taiwanese bark and ambrosia beetles, with new synonymy, new combinations and new records (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), Zootaxa 2602, pp. 1-47 : 16

44. Tomicus piniperda (L.)

Dermestes piniperda Linnaeus,1758: 358 .

Distribution: Throughout the palaearctic region. Imported to and established in North America ( Haack 2006). [2b]

Hosts: Attacks all species of Pinus (Pinaceae) .

Biology: This is an economically important species in the pine forests of the palaearctic, primarily as a result of the maturation feeding of the adults in the tips of living branches. When populations are high, the economic damage caused can be considerable, both through depressed growth, and effects on tree form. There is an extensive literature on many aspects of the biology of the species (e.g. Chararas 1962; Långström 1983; Lombardero et al. 2008; Schlyter et al. 2000; Schröder 1988; Solheim & Långström 2001; Gilbert et al. 2005). It should be noted that much of the recent literature relating to populations in southwest China refers to a closely related, but more aggressive species, Tomicus yunnanensis Kirkendall & Faccoli ( Kirkendall et al. 2008). The latter species is not known to occur in Taiwan.