Gallery construction and oviposition of Scolytus multistriatus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in relation to temperature and adult density

Laboratory studies of effects of temperature and adult density (10 females or 50 females per 250 cm super(2) phloem of Ulmus Americana) L.) on maternal gallery construction and oviposition by Scolytus multistriatus (Marsham) indicated that response of adult beetles at 25 and 30 degree C was similar. At the higher density, maternal galleries were shorter (20 mm) and there were fewer egg niches per unit length of gallery (1.8/mm); at the lower density, maternal galleries averaged 23 mm and there were 2.5 egg niches per mm of gallery. Length of the egg-free portion of the maternal gallery was similar at both densities.