Survey of predators associated with bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) with redescription of Platysoma rimarium Erichson, 1834 from Kashmir, India

Abstract

The bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are widely recognized as one of the most damaging groups of forest pests. The present article documents the insect predators associated with bark beetles infesting blue pine, Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jacks (Pinaceae), in Kashmir Himalaya. Three species of bark beetles, such as Ips stebbingi Strohmeyer, 1908, Polygraphus major Stebbing, 1903, and Pityogenes scitus Blandford, 1893, are here reported as preyed upon by the following four species of predatory beetles: Thanasimus himalayensis Stebbing, 1914 (Cleridae), Niponius canalicollis Lewis, 1901 (Histeridae), Platysoma rimarium Erichson, 1834 (Histeridae), and Corticeus flavipennis Motschulsky, 1859 (Tenebrionidae). Brief diagnoses with photographs of all the pests and their predators have been provided. P. rimarium is also redescribed. A significant number of predators observed in the galleries of bark beetles and on the infested host material support that predators play a major role in the regulation of bark beetle populations and, therefore, has great relevance to ecological pest management strategies in the forests. Keywords: Corticeus flavipennis, Niponius canalicollis, Platysoma rimarium, Thanasimus himalayensis