Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Socolytidae) decimated Pinus greggii populations at the Sierra Gorda, Queretaro, Mexico

During a visit to the communities of Valle Verde and San Juan de los Duran, in the state of Queretaro a high mortality of Pinus greggii was observed and the cause were bark beetles. Taking advantage of the logging activities made by Comision Nacional Forestal (CONAFOR) and Comision Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP), so a sampling request for eight pine trees was done. On the infested felled tree, samples were taken at different heights and around the stump at 50 cm deep, on all sections; bark was removed in order to collect all insects and larvae. Preserved insects in vials containing 70% alcohol were taken to the Laboratory of Entomology, at the Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro. Five species of bark beetles were identified: Dendroctonus mexicanus, D. frontalis and D. valens, Hylastes tenuis, Hylurgops incomptus and Ips cribricollis. These beetles decimated already P. greggii populations in its natural habitat range in the Sierra Gorda of Queretaro. Less rains and mild winters have been noticed by people at the towns where these insects made severe damage to pine trees.