Dendroctonus ponderosae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) observations from Wheeler Peak Campground, Great Basin National Park.

Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, 1902; MPB) has been causing limber pine (Pinus flexilis E. James) mortality at Great Basin National Park, Nevada, including at Wheeler Peak Campground, for many years. Research has shown that MPB voltinism and phenology are strongly influenced by climate and can vary by location and elevation, indicating the need for localized observations to inform treatment recommendations in some cases. We used emergence cages on infested tree boles, baited Lindgren funnel traps, and ambient air temperatures to describe MPB adult flight timing over 2 years. Adult MPB flight at this high-elevation site occurred from late June through early October. Based on funnel traps, peak flight occurred in early to mid-August. The majority of MPBs were captured when maximum ambient air temperatures during collection periods exceeded 21 °C, and during these periods, 2020 was warmer than 2019. In 2019, when both emergence cage and funnel trap data were available, median emergence from trees was about 10 days after median trap catch. These results highlight the appropriate timing for suppression treatments aimed at protecting high-value trees in this high-elevation, developed recreation site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]