The occurrence and action of natural enemies of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) are reviewed. Bark beetles have a diverse and important community of natural enemies. The community includes predators such as birds, beetles, flies, true bugs, and mites; parasitoids such as wasps and flies; pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, microsporidia, and protozoa; as well as nematodes. The general ecology of the various taxonomic groups is discussed and some of the species most relevant to biological control are treated in detail. Morphological descriptions and the biology of pathogens, field data on natural enemies’ prevalence and geographical distribution are presented. The role of these antagonistic agents in bark beetle population dynamics and their potential for use as biological control agents are evaluated based on literature, data from experiments, observations in the field, and from controlled laboratory experiments. |
