RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BARK BEETLE DIVERSITY AND HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS IN PINE FORESTS OF SOUTH MARMARA, TURKEY

The bark beetles are of particular importance in the evolution and biodiversity of forest stands. To contribute to the knowledge on the biodiversity and ecology of bark beetles on pine species, we performed this research in South Marmara, Turkey. During 2014, Scolytinae species were obtained from baiting logs, which were 1.5 m long, and 0.2 m in diameter located at 8 sites in total in the research area. In total, 1100 individuals were collected representing 6 tribes, 11 genera, and 24 species. Orthotomicus erosus was the most abundant species and occurred in all areas. Our study demonstrated that black pine is associated with high diversity of beetles while brutian pine is correlated with high abundance of Scolytinae. In addition, stone pine has lowest diversity and abundance of bark beetles. Pinus brutia, which showed strong correlation with temperature, had relationship with O. erosus and P. pennidens. Pinus nigra showed a strong correlation with altitude, additionally it had relationship with I. sexdentatus. Our results indicate that these abiotic factors affect the composition and the number of bark beetles.

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The study found that black pine is associated with beetle diversity, citing a high abundance of Scolytinae in brutian pine and the lowest diversity and abundance in stone pine. Additionally, a strong correlation was observed between pinus brutia and temperature, with relationships to O. erosus and P. pennidens, while Pinus nigra showed a correlation with altitude and relationship with I. sexdentatus. These results suggest that abiotic factors influence the composition and number of bark beetles.