Colonisation sites on Pinus radiata logs of the bark beetles, Orthotomicus erosus, Hylastes angustatus and Hylurgus ligniperda (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

The colonisation sites of three exotic bark beetle species were determined using buried and partially-buried pine logs placed vertically in the soil. Four trials of increasing complexity were conducted over four seasons within a mature plantation of Pinus radiata D. Don. Almost all (98%) Orthotomicus erosus (Wollaston) were found in the protruding parts of the logs, while most (86%) Hylurgus ligniperda (Fabricius) occurred below soil level.