Southeast Asian Ambrosia Beetle and Host Plant DNA Barcode Records

Bounsanong Chouangthavy's 2026 dataset documents host plant associations for ambrosia beetles in Laos and Vietnam. It includes DNA barcode sequences for 130 beetle specimens from 27 species and 30 host plant species from 17 families. The data supports quantitative network analysis of species interactions.

Use Cases

• Analyze host specialization (d′) metrics for species like Xylosandrus crassiusculus using its association with 19 host plant species.
• Model species interaction networks using frequency-based indices and network-level specialization (H2′) values.
• Validate beetle species identification by comparing mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences across 130 specimens.
• Identify host plant species from beetle specimens using nuclear ribosomal ITS and chloroplast matK sequences.
• Map previously undocumented host associations to expand known host ranges for specific beetle taxa.

Strengths

• Integrates genetic data for 130 beetle specimens and their associated host plants.
• Identifies 27 beetle species and 30 host plant species, providing a structured interaction matrix.
• Includes quantitative network analysis indices like species-level specialization (d′) and H2′ (0.65).

Limitations

• Limited geographic scope confined to forests in Laos and Vietnam.
• Dataset size is 674.6 KB, indicating a small-scale study with 130 specimens.
• Host plant associations are documented from a single sampling period; temporal dynamics are not captured.

Provenance

Source

Bounsanong Chouangthavy via figshare.

Collection Method

Specimens collected directly from infested trees in tropical forests, with species identified via DNA barcoding (COI, ITS, matK sequences).

Freshness

Last updated in April 2026.

Geography

Tropical forests of Laos and Vietnam.