Observations on the attacks and biological characteristics of Platypus cylindrus F.(Coleoptera: Platypodidae) in Tunisia

Abstract: The study carried out in Tunisia in 2004 and 2005 aimed at characterizing the treesattacked by Platypus cylindrus and determinating the adult flying period. Results were comparedwith those obtained in Portugal between 1993 and 1995. While it attacks healthy trees inPortugal, P. cylindrus mostly attacks weakened trees in Tunisia. The high level of debarkingindex seems to favour the beetle attack in Tunisia. The P. cylindrus adults fly from early June toearly October in Tunisia, while in Portugal, adult flight begins from early May may sometimesfinish only in January.