Calculating tree bole surface area for estimating populations of the southern pine beetle (Coleoptera:Scolytidae)

A conoidal frustum model was determined to be a practical and an accurate method for estimating the bole surface area of southern pines. Sample percent bias and absolute bias criteria indicated clear superiority over a nonlinear regression model that has been widely applied as a tree geometry model in population dynamics studies of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann. The conoidal frustum estimator should be relied upon in all cases where population density data are to be expanded to the total infested area per tree or to groups of trees, with a minimum of percent bias and absolute bias and without systematic bias trends.