Density dependence of host location behaviour and reproductive behaviour by mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae).

During the summer of 2000 I conducted research on host location behaviour of mountain pine beetles (MPB) in Kootenay National Park. Mountain pine beetle attack, and must kill, live lodgepole pine trees in order to successfully reproduce. The objective of my work was to examine whether or not the type of trees that the beetles decide to attack, the amount of energy that the beetle invests in locating a tree to attack, and the beetles reproductive investment changes with the density of the MPB population.