Byers, J.A. 1984b. Nearest neighbor analysis and simulation
of distribution patterns indicates an attack spacing
mechanism in the bark beetle, Ips typographus (Coleoptera:
Scolytidae). Environmental Entomology 13:1191-1200.
Ips typographus">
Entrance holes of Ips typographus (larger) and Pityogenes chalcographus (smaller) in Norway spruce
Abstract--
The attack sites of the bark beetle, I. typographus, on Norway spruce
logs (Picea abies) were observed to be more uniformly spaced than
random using nearest neighbor analysis. A computer model which
simulated various degrees of uniformity in spatial distribution was
compared to the observed attack pattern. The model showed that a
mechanism of spacing between attacks, in which beetles need to be
greater than a minimum distance of about 2.5 cm away from the nearest
neighbor before attacking, can explain the observed distributions in
nature. In the model, the distribution of angular directions to the 4
nearest neighbors appeared random, regardless of the degree of
uniformity in the spatial distribution. The model for the mechanism
of spacing can be applied to other organisms that exhibit uniform
distributions.
Chemical Ecology
Entrance holes of Ips typographus (larger) and Pityogenes chalcographus (smaller) in Norway spruce
