Abstract: Proventriculus morphology of 16 bark beetle species (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) from the host tree—Chinese white pine (Pinus armandii) was studied by using a light microscopy and a scanning electron microscopy. Obvious differences were observed in the sclerotization degree, the shape of the anterior plate and type of sclerotized appendices among the different bark beetle groups. Three types of proventriculi were identified according to the basic morphological comparison of the chitinous plates, and their morphology may supply auxiliary characters for taxonomy of these bark beetle species. The spatial distribution of proventricular types was consistent with the occurrence of spatial sequence for 16 species of bark beetles in Chinese white pine trees.Obvious morphological variation and the sclerotization degree of proventriculus may reflect an adaptation to variations in diet.

Key words: Pinus armandii, proventricular morphology, bark beetles