scholarly journals Ecological Niches and Suitability Areas of Three Host Pine Species of Bark Beetle Dendroctonus mexicanus Hopkins

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 385
Author(s):  
Fátima M. Méndez-Encina ◽  
Jorge Méndez-González ◽  
Rocío Mendieta-Oviedo ◽  
José Ó. M. López-Díaz ◽  
Juan A. Nájera-Luna

Bark beetles are a natural part of coniferous forests. Dendroctonus mexicanus Hopkins is the most widely distributed and most destructive bark beetle in Mexico, colonizing more than 21 pine species. The objectives of this study were to generate ecological niche models for D. mexicanus and three of its most important host species, to evaluate the overlap of climate suitability of the association Dendroctonus–Pinus, and to determine the possible expansion of the bark beetle. We used meticulously cleaned species occurrence records, 15 bioclimatic variables and ‘kuenm’, an R package that uses Maxent as a modeling algorithm. The Dendroctonus–Pinus ecological niches were compared using ordination methods and the kernel density function. We generated 1392 candidate models; not all were statistically significant (α = 0.05). The response type was quadratic; there is a positive correlation between suitability and precipitation, and negative with temperature, the latter determining climatic suitability of the studied species. Indeed, a single variable (Bio 1) contributed 93.9% to the model (Pinus leiophylla Schl. & Cham). The overlap of suitable areas for Dendroctonus–Pinus is 74.95% (P. leiophylla) and on average of 46.66% in ecological niches. It is observed that D. mexicanus begins to expand towards climates not currently occupied by the studied pine species.

Ecography ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 541-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew E. Aiello-Lammens ◽  
Robert A. Boria ◽  
Aleksandar Radosavljevic ◽  
Bruno Vilela ◽  
Robert P. Anderson

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1290
Author(s):  
Branislav Hroššo ◽  
Pavel Mezei ◽  
Mária Potterf ◽  
Andrej Majdák ◽  
Miroslav Blaženec ◽  
...  

Research Highlights: Bark beetles are important agents of disturbance regimes in temperate forests, and specifically in a connected wind-bark beetle disturbance system. Large-scale windthrows trigger population growth of the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) from endemic to epidemic levels, thereby allowing the killing of Norway spruce trees over several consecutive years. Background and Objectives: There is a lack of evidence to differentiate how outbreaks are promoted by the effects of environmental variables versus beetle preferences of trees from endemic to outbreak. However, little is known about how individual downed-tree characteristics and local conditions such as tree orientation and solar radiation affect beetle colonization of downed trees. Materials and Methods: To answer this question, we investigated the infestation rates and determined tree death categories (uprooted, broken, and stump) in wind-damaged areas in Western Tatra Mts. in Carpathians (Slovakia) from 2014–2016, following a windthrow in May 2014. In total, we investigated 225 trees over eight transects. For every tree, we measured its morphological (tree height, crown characteristics), environmental (solar radiation, terrain conditions, trunk zenith), temporal (time since wind damage), and beetle infestation (presence, location of attack, bark desiccation) parameters. We applied Generalized Additive Mixed Models (GAMM) to unravel the main drivers of I. typographus infestations. Results: Over the first year, beetles preferred to attack broken trees and sun-exposed trunk sides over uprooted trees; the infestation on shaded sides started in the second year along with the infestation of uprooted trees with lower desiccation rates. We found that time since wind damage, stem length, and incident solar radiation increased the probability of beetle infestation, although both solar radiation and trunk zenith exhibited nonlinear variability. Our novel variable trunk zenith appeared to be an important predictor of bark beetle infestation probability. We conclude that trunk zenith as a simple measure defining the position of downed trees over the terrain can anticipate beetle infestation. Conclusions: Our findings contribute to understanding of the bark beetle’s preferences to colonize windthrown trees in the initial years after the primary wind damage. Further, our findings can help to identify trees that are most susceptible to beetle infestation and to prioritize management actions to control beetle population while maintaining biodiversity.


1980 ◽  
Vol 112 (7) ◽  
pp. 725-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Goheen ◽  
F. W. Cobb

AbstractThe relationship between bark beetle infestation of ponderosa pine and severity of infection by Ceratocystis wageneri was investigated by closely monitoring 256 trees (136 apparently healthy, 60 moderately diseased, and 60 severely diseased at initiation of study) for beetle infestation from summer 1972 to fall 1975. Disease ratings were updated by periodic examination, and some trees changed disease category during the study. Ninety trees were infested by Dendroctonus brevicomis, D. ponderosae, or both, five by buprestids alone, and one tree died from effects of the pathogen alone. Sixty-two of the beetle-infested trees were severely diseased at time of infestation, 25 were moderately diseased, and only three were apparently healthy. Thus, the results showed that bark beetles were much more likely to infest infected than healthy trees. Among diseased trees, those with advanced infections were most likely to be infested. There was evidence that buprestids (especially Melanophila spp.) and possibly Ips spp. attacked diseased trees prior to Dendroctonus spp. infestation.


1990 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Phillips

AbstractResults of a field experiment indicate that adults of the pine weevil Hylobius pales (Herbst) respond to pheromones of bark beetles. Each sex of H. pales was more attracted to traps baited with the combination of a pine bolt infested with male Ips calligraphus Germar plus the synthetic Dendroctonus Erichson pheromones frontalin and exo-brevicomin, than to traps baited with pine bolts alone. The combined numbers of male and female H. pales caught in traps baited only with Ips calligraphus-infested bolts were significantly greater than numbers caught in traps baited with uninfested control bolts. The attraction of H. pales to bark beetle pheromones may represent a kairomonal response in which weevils exploit semiochemicals from other species that signify a suitable host resource.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Jaakkola ◽  
Anna Maria Jönsson ◽  
Per-Ola Olsson ◽  
Maj-Lena Linderson ◽  
Thomas Holst

<p>Tree killing by spruce bark beetles (<em>Ips typographus</em>) is one of the main disturbances to Norway spruce (<em>Picea abies</em>) forests in Europe and the risk of outbreaks is amplified by climate change with effects such as increased risk of storm felling, tree drought stress and an additional generation of spruce bark beetles per year<sup>[1]</sup>. The warm and dry summer of 2018 triggered large outbreaks in Sweden, the increased outbreaks are still ongoing and affected about 8 million m<sup>3</sup> forest in 2020<sup>[2]</sup>. This is the so far highest record of trees killed by the spruce bark beetle in a single year in Sweden<sup>[2]</sup>. In 1990-2010, the spruce bark beetle killed on average 150 000 m<sup>3</sup> forest per year in southern Sweden<sup>[3]</sup>. Bark beetles normally seek and attack Norway spruces with lowered defense, i.e. trees that are wind-felled or experience prolonged drought stress<sup>[4]</sup>. However, as the number of bark beetle outbreaks increase, the risk of attacks on healthy trees also increase<sup>[5]</sup>. This causes a higher threat to forest industry, and lowers the possibilities to mitigate climate change in terms of potential decreases in carbon uptake if the forests die<sup>[4,5]</sup>. Norway spruce trees normally defend themselves by drenching the beetles in resin<sup>[6]</sup>. The resin in turn contains different biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), which can vary if the spruce is attacked by bark beetles or not<sup> [4,6]</sup>. The most abundant group of terpenoids (isoprene, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes), is most commonly emitted from conifers, such as Norway spruce<sup>[7,8]</sup>. The aim of this study was to enable a better understanding of the direct defense mechanisms of spruce trees by quantifying BVOC emissions and its composition from individual trees under attack</p><p>To analyze the bark beetles’ impact on Norway spruce trees a method was developed using tree trunk chambers and adsorbent tubes. This enables direct measurements of the production of BVOCs from individual trees. Three different sites in Sweden, with different environmental conditions were used for the study and samples were collected throughout the growing season of 2019. After sampling, the tubes were analyzed in a lab using automated thermal desorption coupled to a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer to identify BVOC species and their quantity.</p><p>The preliminary results show a strong increase in BVOC emissions from a healthy tree that became infested during the data collection. The finalized results expect to enable better understanding of how spruce trees are affected by insect stress from bark beetles, and if bark beetle infestation will potentially result in increased carbon emission in the form of BVOCs.</p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p>[1] Jönsson et al. (2012). Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 166: 188–200<br>[2] Skogsstyrelsen, (2020). https://via.tt.se/pressmeddelande/miljontals-granar-dodades-av-granbarkborren-2020?publisherId=415163&releaseId=3288473<br>[3] Marini et al. (2017). Ecography, 40(12), 1426–1435.<br>[4] Raffa (1991). Photochemical induction by herbivores. pp. 245-276<strong><br></strong>[5] Seidl, et al. (2014). Nature Climate Change, 4(9), 806-810. <br>[6] Ghimire, et al. (2016). Atmospheric Environment, 126, 145-152.<br>[7] Niinemets, U. and Monson, R. (2013). ISBN 978-94-007-6606-8<br>[8] Kesselmeier, J. and Staudt, M. (1999). Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 33(1), pp.23-88</p>


1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 1021-1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. S. Sahota

The failure of ovarian development in Douglas-fir bark beetles denied of their natural gallery environment and maintained on host bark chips was investigated. Such insects possessed a high activity of proteolytic enzymes in their guts but relatively small amounts of female-specific proteins both in haemolymph and the oocytes. Topical application of farnesyl methyl ether did not increase the activity of gut proteases but resulted in increased amounts of female-specific proteins in haemolymph and ovaries. Thus it appears that the Douglas-fir bark beetles maintained on bark chips do not suffer from an inability to break down the ingested proteins, but synthesize and transfer less than normal amounts of female-specific proteins to the developing oocytes.


Author(s):  
Gonca Ece Özcan ◽  
Korhan Enez ◽  
Burak Arıcak

Forest roads are important transportation equipment through forested areas in the rugged, mountainous terrain of northern Turkey. Forest roads harm forest ecosystems due to both the manner in which they are established and how they are used afterwards. Damage to trees that occur during road construction through forests stresses trees, which facilitates outbreaks of bark beetle populations. Bark beetles are significant risk to the health and productivity of Turkish pine forests and to pine forests worldwide. In particular, Ips sexdentatus (Boerner) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) is a particularly destructive species of bark beetle in Turkish forests. Their damage to coniferous trees threatens the sustainability of the forest ecosystems. This study primarily aims to assess the intensity of damage that I. sexdentatus inflicts on Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold stands relative to several parameters: the distance to the nearest forest road, aspect (shady - sunny), slope (0–15% or >15%), and other stand characteristics. In this study, we show how damage by an I. sexdentatus infestation in pure black pine stands varies with distance to forest roads and in situ edaphic factors. We sampled 45 plots (400 m2 each), slope, aspect and distances to the nearest forest road was determined using ArcGIS software and the region’s road network overlays. Results showed that trees located within 100 m from the nearest forest road were the most severely damaged ones. The intensity of I. sexdentatus damage was about 16% in a hectare. Trees that were in 16–20 cm diameter class were damaged more often. I. sexdentatus damage did not show any significant correlation with the slope, aspect or degree of canopy closure.


Author(s):  
Peter H. W. Biedermann ◽  
Jean-Claude Grégoire ◽  
Axel Gruppe ◽  
Jonas Hagge ◽  
Almuth Hammerbacher ◽  
...  

Tree-killing bark beetles are the most economically important insects in conifer forests worldwide. Yet  despite >200 years of research, the drivers of population eruptions or crashes are still not fully understood, precluding reliable predictions of the effects of global change on beetle population dynamics and impacts on ecosystems and humans.  We critically analyze potential biotic and abiotic drivers of population dynamics of the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) and present a novel ecological framework that integrates the multiple drivers governing this bark beetle system. We call for large-scale collaborative research efforts to improve our understanding of the population dynamics of this important pest; an approach that might serve as a blueprint for other eruptive forest insects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. e0008212
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Echeverry-Cárdenas ◽  
Carolina López-Castañeda ◽  
Juan D. Carvajal-Castro ◽  
Oscar Alexander Aguirre-Obando

In Colombia, little is known on the distribution of the Asian mosquito Aedes albopictus, main vector of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika in Asia and Oceania. Therefore, this work sought to estimate its current and future potential geographic distribution under the Representative Concentration Paths (RCP) 2.6 and 8.5 emission scenarios by 2050 and 2070, using ecological niche models. For this, predictions were made in MaxEnt, employing occurrences of A. albopictus from their native area and South America and bioclimatic variables of these places. We found that, from their invasion of Colombia to the most recent years, A. albopictus is present in 47% of the country, in peri-urban (20%), rural (23%), and urban (57%) areas between 0 and 1800 m, with Antioquia and Valle del Cauca being the departments with most of the records. Our ecological niche modelling for the currently suggests that A. albopictus is distributed in 96% of the Colombian continental surface up to 3000 m (p < 0.001) putting at risk at least 48 million of people that could be infected by the arboviruses that this species transmits. Additionally, by 2050 and 2070, under RCP 2.6 scenario, its distribution could cover to nearly 90% of continental extension up to 3100 m (≈55 million of people at risk), while under RCP 8.5 scenario, it could decrease below 60% of continental extension, but expand upward to 3200 m (< 38 million of people at risk). These results suggest that, currently in Colombia, A. albopictus is found throughout the country and climate change could diminish eventually its area of distribution, but increase its altitudinal range. In Colombia, surveillance and vector control programs must focus their attention on this vector to avoid complications in the national public health setting.


Author(s):  
Kateryna Davydenko

Pine bark beetles are typically associated with complexes of fungi that could reveal different functional interaction. Thus, previously nonaggressive bark beetle Ips acuminatus is considering now to be among the most serious pests of pine forest in Ukraine and other European countries and vectored fungal community is very important to assess total harm of this bark beetle. The aim of this study was to reveal the vectored fungal community associated with the pine engraver beetle, I. acuminatus with special emphasis on pathogenic fungi for further evaluation of harm bark-beetle - fungi association for Ukrainian forest. In total, 288 adult beetles were collected from Scots pine trees at six different sites through Ukraine. DNA sequencing as fungal culturing from all beetles resulted in 1681 isolates and amplicons representing 42 fungal taxa. NCBI BLAST search revealed that the overall fungal community was composed of 94 species, of which 80.85% were Ascomycota, followed by Basidiomycota and unidentified fungal group, which accounted for 10.6% and 8.5 % of the total sequences, respectively. Among these, the most commonly detected fungi for pooling dataset were Sphaeropsis sapinea (23.6%), Cladosporium pini-ponderosae (19.44%), Ophiostoma ips (19.1%), Ophiostoma canum (19.1%) and Cladobotryum mycophilum (18.06%). In the pooled dataset of isolates and amplicons for each site, Shannon diversity indices ranged between 1.9 and 2.9 while Simpson diversity index varied between 0.69 and 0.89 indicating rich species diversity. In total twelve ophiostomatoid species were detected. All ophiostomatoid fungi were showing varying degrees of virulence and O. minus was the most aggressive fungus in previous studies. It is concluded that I. acuminatus vectors a species-rich fungal community including pathogens such as ophiostomatoid fungi, Sphaeropsis sapinea, different needle pathogens and wood decay fungi that seems to be very important for the assessment of threat of I. acuminatus to the pine forest in Ukraine.


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