Mountain Pine Beetle Selection of Dwarf Mistletoe and Comandra Blister Rust Infected Lodgepole Pine

摘要

Pairs of similar-size lodgepole pine--one attacked by mountain pine beetles and the other not attacked--were compared as to the degree of dwarf mistletoe and comandra blister rust infection they had. The data showed some evidence (one forest had a significant difference) that beetles chose to attack trees with heavier infections of comandra blister rust. On the other hand, due to the high incidence of dwarf mistletoe in the areas examined, comparisons of beetle/dwarf mistletoe interactions were difficult.