Seasonal dispersal patterns of the alder bark beetle (Alniphagus aspericollis) in red alder stands in coastal British Columbia

A unique symbiosis was recently discovered between a canker-causing, fungal pathogen (Neonectria) and its insect vector, the alder bark beetle, in the nitrogen-fixing, hardwood tree, red alder. The basic biology of this bark beetle was first described by Borden (1969) where larvae were found in the boles of trees, however, very little research has been carried out since. In 2021, adults were found in branch nodes, suggesting that there are multiple flight periods for this beetle as the offset generations emerge. Preliminary data on the sex ratio of alder bark beetles were observed to be predominantly female in the branch nodes. However, is unclear whether this female-biased sex ratio is inherent to the population or if it is a behavioural tactic driven by maturation feeding and reproductive success. Data will be collected over the 2022 field season using three different types of traps (emergence, funnel, and passive barrier) in three locations surrounding Vancouver, British Columbia. Temperature data loggers are used to correlate flights with degree day accumulation. This research aims to investigate flight periods, emergence locations, and sex ratios of the alder bark beetle in an attempt to better understand population dynamics, behavioural traits, and general biology of the alder bark beetle.