Wallacellus similis (Ferrari)

Beaver, R. A., Sittichaya, W. & Liu, L-Y., 2014, A Synopsis of the Scolytine Ambrosia Beetles of Thailand (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), Zootaxa 3875 (1), pp. 1-82 : 61-62

130. Wallacellus similis (Ferrari)

Xyleborus similis Ferrari, 1867: 23 .

Wallacellus similis (Ferrari) : Hulcr & Cognato, 2010: 29.

Thai distribution: C: Chanthaburi, Kanchanaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Rayong, Suphanburi; N: Chiang Mai ( Nunberg & Chujo 1961, as Xyleborus parvulus Eichhoff, Beaver & Browne 1975 as Xyleborus similis ), Mae Hong Son, Tak; N-E: Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sakhon Nakhon; S: Chumphon ( Sittichaya & Beaver 2009 as Xyleborus similis ), Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Phangnga, Ranong ( Murphy & Meepol 1990 as Xyleborus similis ), Surat Thani.

New records: More than 180 specimens collected in all parts of the country.

Other distribution: The species has a very wide distribution in the Oriental and Australasian regions, extending from India in the West to the Pacific islands in the East, and from Taiwan in the North to Australia in the South. It also occurs in the Afrotropical region and the Indian Ocean islands. It is established but apparently not invasive in U.S.A. ( Haack 2006). (6)

Biology: Strongly polyphagous ( Browne 1961a, Schedl 1963). The biology and gallery system is described by Browne (1961a, 1968), Kalshoven (1964) and Schedl (1963). Browne (1968) notes that it may bore into healthy trees through bark wounds, facilitating the entry of pathogenic fungi. In Thailand, it attacks rubberwood ( Hevea brasiliensis ) ( Kangkamanee et al. 2011), and stressed mango ( Mangifera indica ) and cashew ( Anacardium occidentale ) trees (Sittichaya 2012).

Illustrations: P (Hulcr 2013, PaDIL 2014 as Xyleborus similis ); D ( Nunberg 1959, Maiti & Saha 2004 both as X. similis ).