A Comparison of Maturation Feeding of the Elm Bark Beetles Scofytus scofytus (F.) and S. multistriatus (Marsh.) on English Eta ( Ulmus pracera Salisb. ) and six otter Elm Taxa

SUMMARY In laboratory experiments elm bark beetles ( Scolytus scolytus and S. multistriatus ) were allowed to choose between English elm and one of six other taxa (Smooth‐leaved, Wheatley, Wych, Huntingdon, Commelin 274 and Cornish) for maturation feeding. Preference was sometimes shown for English elm over Huntingdon and Commelin elms and, on one occasion, Wheatley elm was fed on more than English. However, there was no consistent pattern. Sufficient feeding occurred on all taxa to enable spores of the Dutch elm disease fungus ( Ceratocystis ulmi ) to be introduced to the twigs.