Crossotarsus bonvouloiri

Crossotarsus bonvouloiri is a wood-boring beetle belonging to the Curculionidae family and the Scolytinae subfamily. As a member of the ambrosia beetle group, this insect is known for its complex symbiotic relationship with fungi, which they cultivate within the internal galleries of host trees.

This pest primarily attacks various deciduous tree species in tropical and subtropical climates. While it often prefers stressed, dying, or recently felled trees, high-density infestations can occasionally affect healthy, vigorous trees, posing a significant risk to timber production and forestry health.

The life cycle is deeply integrated with fungal symbiosis. Adult beetles bore deep, intricate galleries into the wood, introducing specific fungal spores. The larvae do not consume the wood fibers directly but instead feed on the fungal "ambrosia" that grows along the tunnel walls, which provides the necessary nutrients for their development.

The damage is characterized by fine frass (bore dust) accumulating near entry holes on the bark. Internally, the network of galleries causes structural degradation of the wood, rendering it unsuitable for high-quality timber use and facilitating the entry of decay-causing pathogens that can kill the host tree.

Effective management strategies require a combination of silvicultural and chemical methods:

• Prompt sanitation harvesting to remove infested trees from the forest.
• Application of prophylactic insecticides on stacked logs at timber yards.
• Monitoring flight periods of adult beetles using specialized pheromone traps.
• Ensuring proper forest hygiene to prevent the buildup of beetle populations.