Collecting and preserving bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae & Platypodinae)

This protocol describes the different methods to collect and preserve bark and ambrosia beetles, detailing collecting tools, recording relevant data, and optimizing step-by-step methods to extract beetles from twigs, branches, bark, and trunks. It elaborates on trapping techniques, tools, lures, baits, and beetle preservation. The main rule of manual collecting is to not attempt to pry the insect out of the wood or bark, but instead, remove the wood/bark away from the beetle: gently and systematically. The main rule of trapping is that there is no general attractant; instead, attractants and traps should reflect the ecology of the targeted beetle taxa.

Automated summary

This article describes various methods for collecting and preserving bark and ambrosia beetles, including collecting tools, recording data, and step-by-step beetle extraction techniques. It also elaborates on trapping techniques, tools, attractants, and beetle preservation. The key rule for manual collecting is to separate the wood or bark from the beetle gently and systematically, instead of trying to pry the insect out. The main rule for trapping is to use attractants and traps that reflect the ecology of the targeted beetle species.