scholarly journals Experimental characterization and automatic identification of stridulatory sounds inside wood

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol L. Bedoya ◽  
Ximena J. Nelson ◽  
Eckehard G. Brockerhoff ◽  
Stephen Pawson ◽  
Michael Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Automatic Identification ◽  
Spectral Parameters ◽  
Detection And Identification ◽  
Distance Dependence ◽  
Animal Vocalizations ◽  
Automatic Methods ◽  
Spectral Ranges ◽  
Wood Boring

ABSTRACTThe propagation of animal vocalizations in water and in air is a well-studied phenomenon, but sound produced by bark and wood boring insects, which feed and reproduce inside trees, is poorly understood. Often being confined to the dark and chemically-saturated habitat of wood, many bark- and woodborers have developed stridulatory mechanisms to communicate acoustically. Despite their ecological and economic importance and the unusual medium used for acoustic communication, very little is known about sound production in these insects, or their acoustic interactions inside trees. Here, we use bark beetles (Scolytinae) as a model system to study the effects of wooden tissue on the propagation of insect stridulations and propose algorithms for their automatic identification. We characterize distance-dependence of the spectral parameters of stridulatory sounds, propose data-based models for the power decay of the stridulations in both outer and inner bark, provide optimal spectral ranges for stridulation detectability, and develop automatic methods for their detection and identification. We also discuss the acoustic discernibility of species cohabitating the same log. The species tested can be acoustically identified with 99% of accuracy at distances up to 20 cm and detected to the greatest extent in the 2-6 kHz frequency band. Phloem was a better medium for sound transmission than bark.

scholarly journals Wood Ants: Important Components of the Forest "Immunity System"

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gema Trigos-Peral ◽  
Orsolya Juhász ◽  
Péter János Kiss ◽  
Gábor Módra ◽  
Anna Tenyér ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Biological Pest Control ◽  
European Forests ◽  
Biotic And Abiotic Factors ◽  
Red Wood Ants ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
Wood Boring

Abstract Climate change is one of the major threats to biodiversity, but its impact varies among the species. Bark beetles (Ips spp.), as well as other wood-boring pests of European forests, show escalating numbers in response to the changes driven by climate change and seriously affect the survival of the forests through the massive killing of trees. Many methods were developed to control these wood-boring beetles, however, their implementation can be detrimental for other forest specialists. Ants are widely used for biological pest-control, so in our study, we aimed to test the effect of F. polyctena on the control of the wood-boring beetles. The results show that the proportion of infested trees is significantly reduced by the increase of the number of F. polyctena nests, with a strong effect on Ips species. We also show that the boring beetle community is shaped by different biotic and abiotic factors, including the presence of F. polyctena nests. However, the boring beetle infestation was not related to the latitude, altitude and age of the forests. Based on our results, we assert the effectiveness of the red wood ants as biological pest control and the importance of their conservation to keep the health of the forests.

scholarly journals Exotic bark- and wood-boring Coleoptera in the United States: recent establishments and interceptions

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A Haack
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
The United States ◽  
Agrilus Planipennis ◽  
Xyleborus Glabratus ◽  
Inspection Service ◽  
Phoracantha Recurva ◽  
Wood Boring ◽  
Summary Data ◽  
Hylurgops Palliatus

Summary data are given for the 25 new species of exotic bark- and wood-boring Coleoptera first reported in the continental United States between 1985 and 2005, including 2 Buprestidae (Agrilus planipennis and Agrilus prionurus), 5 Cerambycidae (Anoplophora glabripennis, Callidiellum rufipenne, Phoracantha recurva, Sybra alternans, and Tetrops praeusta), and 18 Scolytidae (Ambrosiodmus lewisi, Euwallacea fornicatus, Hylastes opacus, Hylurgops palliatus, Hylurgus ligniperda, Orthotomicus erosus, Phloeosinus armatus, Pityogenes bidentatus, Scolytus schevyrewi, Tomicus piniperda, Xyleborinus alni, Xyleborus atratus, Xyleborus glabratus, Xyleborus pelliculosus, Xyleborus pfeilii, Xyleborus seriatus, Xyleborus similis, and Xylosandrus mutilatus). In addition, summary interception data are presented for the wood-associated beetles in the families Bostrichidae, Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Curculionidae, Lyctidae, Platypodidae, and Scolytidae, based on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service "Port Information Network" database for plant pests intercepted at US ports of entry from 1985 to 2000. Wood-associated insects were most often intercepted on crating, followed by dunnage and pallets. The five imported products most often associated with these 8341 interceptions were tiles, machinery, marble, steel, and ironware. A significantly higher proportion of the most frequently intercepted true bark beetles have become established in the United States compared with the less frequently intercepted species.

scholarly journals What is the sound of fear? Behavioral responses of white-crowned sparrows Zonotrichia leucophrys to synthesized nonlinear acoustic phenomena

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 534-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen K. Blesdoe ◽  
Daniel T. Blumstein
Keyword(s):  
Pure Tone ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Nonlinear Phenomena ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Zonotrichia Leucophrys ◽  
Frequency Jump ◽  
Animal Vocalizations

Abstract Fear and anxiety may be adaptive responses to life-threatening situations, and animals may communicate fear to others vocally. A fundamental understanding of fear inducing sounds is important for both wildlife conservation and management because it helps us understand how to design repellents and also how (and why) animals may be negatively impacted by anthropogenic sounds. Nonlinear phenomena—sounds produced by the desynchronization of vibrations in a sound production system—are commonly found in stress-induced animal vocalizations, such as in alarm calls, mobbing calls, and fear screams. There are several functional hypotheses for these nonlinear phenomena. One specific hypothesis is the unpredictability hypothesis, which suggests that because nonlinear phenomena are more variable and somewhat unpredictable, animals are less likely to habituate to them. Animals should, therefore, have a prolonged response to sounds with nonlinear phenomena than sounds without them. Most of the studies involving nonlinear phenomena have used mammalian subjects and conspecific stimuli. Our study focused on white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys ssp. oriantha) and used synthesized acoustic stimuli to investigate behavioral responses to stimuli with and without nonlinear phenomena. We predicted that birds would be less relaxed after hearing a stimulus with a nonlinear component. We calculated the difference from baseline of proportion of time spent in relaxed behaviors and performed pair-wise comparisons between a pure tone control stimulus and each of three experimental stimuli, including a frequency jump up, a frequency jump down, and white noise. These comparisons showed that in the 30‒60 s after the playback experiment, birds were significantly less relaxed after hearing noise or an abrupt frequency jump down an octave but not an abrupt frequency jump up an octave or a pure tone. Nonlinear phenomena, therefore, may be generally arousing to animals and may explain why these acoustic properties are commonly found in animal signals associated with fear [Current Zoology 60 (4): 534–541, 2014].

scholarly journals Wood ants as biological control of the forest pest beetles Ips spp.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gema Trigos-Peral ◽  
Orsolya Juhász ◽  
Péter János Kiss ◽  
Gábor Módra ◽  
Anna Tenyér ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Biological Control ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Forest Pest ◽  
Biological Pest Control ◽  
Formica Polyctena ◽  
Wood Ants ◽  
Wood Boring

AbstractClimate change is one of the major threats to biodiversity, but its impact varies among the species. Bark beetles (Ips spp.), as well as other wood-boring pests of European forests, show escalating numbers in response to the changes driven by climate change and seriously affect the survival of the forests through the massive killing of trees. Many methods were developed to control these wood-boring beetles, however, their implementation can be detrimental for other forest specialists. Ants are widely used for biological pest-control, so in our study, we aimed to test the effect of Formica polyctena on the control of the wood-boring beetles. The results show that the proportion of infested trees is significantly reduced by the increase of the number of F. polyctena nests, with a strong effect on those infested by Ips species. We also show that the boring beetle community is shaped by different biotic and abiotic factors, including the presence of F. polyctena nests. However, the boring beetle infestation was not related to the latitude, altitude and age of the forests. Based on our results, we assert the effectiveness of the red wood ants as biological pest control and the importance of their conservation to keep the health of the forests.

Decay, stains, and beetles in ice-storm-damaged forests: A review

2001 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 605-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony A. Hopkin ◽  
Sylvia Greifenhagen ◽  
Jeff Holland
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Structural Damage ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Ice Storm ◽  
Decay Fungi ◽  
Ice Storms ◽  
Limited Degree ◽  
Standing Timber ◽  
Wood Boring

A potential long-term threat to ice-damaged forests exists from decays, stains, and wood-boring insects. Damage to large branches or to the main stem can result in heartwood decay, particularly in older or less healthy trees. However, in branch stubs with a diameter of less than 7.5 cm, decay progresses to only a limited degree. Stem damage is not usual after ice storms. However, sunscald is common in sugar maple stands with damaged crowns, sometimes resulting in infection by the sap rot fungus Cerrena unicolor. Fungi of the genera Ophiostoma, Ceratocystis and Ceratocystiopsis (blue stains) can cause significant staining to standing timber in damaged softwood stands; however, these fungi do not cause structural damage. Bark beetles (scolytidae) and wood-borers (buprestidae and cerambycidae), which attack damaged trees in northeastern North America are normally secondary invaders. However, thinning of the canopy from ice damage could cause increased infestation by these insects. Key words: ice storm, decay, fungi, beetle

scholarly journals Improved Identification and New Records of Dendroctonus Bark Beetles Attacking Pinus contorta in the Subalpine Forest of the Southern Rocky Mountains

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 656
Author(s):  
Javier E. Mercado
Keyword(s):  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Subalpine Forest ◽  
Attack Behavior ◽  
Dendroctonus Rufipennis ◽  
Southern Rocky Mountains ◽  
Attack Pattern ◽  
Detection And Identification ◽  
The Impact

Research Highlights: Atypical and poorly understood attacks by Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby) to Pinus contorta Doug. ex Loudon were detected in the southern Rocky Mountains (SRM). The phenomenon is confirmed across all examined area. Its reproduction is described for the first time as well as the first attacks of D. adjunctus Blandf. in that host. Improved detection and diagnostics of D. rufipennis will allow a simpler, and efficient identification of the species. It will improve the detection capacity by pest detection specialists and entomologists, which will increase our understanding of the phenomena within and beyond the known range. Background and Objectives: In addition to D. ponderosae Hopk. other Dendroctonus species, sometimes together, attacked P. contorta that grew intermixed with Picea engelmannii in the SRM’ subalpine forest. The identification of these beetles was difficult. The goal was to improve the detection and identification of the species from similar Dendroctonus spp. attacking that host and to uncover biological facts about the phenomena. Materials and Methods: Dendroctonus attacking P. contorta were collected along the entire SRM, their attack signs and behavior were recorded. These characteristics were revised from those in the literature and new characters were introduced and tested. Results: The identification of Dendroctonus bark beetles attacking P. contorta in the SRM was improved using revised and new characters including attack signs, attack behavior, and adult beetle characters. An improved identification key couplet is presented to effectively distinguish D. murrayanae from D. rufipennis. Conclusions: Simplified insect identifications that are both accessible to users with different levels of expertise and are based on insect characters, their attack pattern, and signs, like the present, improve detection of insects of interest. Efficient insect detections allow a better understanding of the capabilities they have and the impact they cause to the woodland ecosystems we study, protect, and manage around the globe.

scholarly journals Effect of Trap Color on Captures of Bark- and Wood-Boring Beetles (Coleoptera; Buprestidae and Scolytinae) and Associated Predators

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 749
Author(s):  
Giacomo Cavaletto ◽  
Massimo Faccoli ◽  
Lorenzo Marini ◽  
Johannes Spaethe ◽  
Gianluca Magnani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Color Preferences ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Trap Color ◽  
Bark And Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Surveillance Programs ◽  
Flower Visiting ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance ◽  
Wood Boring

Traps baited with attractive lures are increasingly used at entry-points and surrounding natural areas to intercept exotic wood-boring beetles accidentally introduced via international trade. Several trapping variables can affect the efficacy of this activity, including trap color. In this study, we tested whether species richness and abundance of jewel beetles (Buprestidae), bark and ambrosia beetles (Scolytinae), and their common predators (i.e., checkered beetles, Cleridae) can be modified using trap colors different to those currently used for surveillance of jewel beetles and bark and ambrosia beetles (i.e., green or black). We show that green and black traps are generally efficient, but also that many flower-visiting or dark-metallic colored jewel beetles and certain bark beetles are more attracted by other colors. In addition, we show that checkered beetles have color preferences similar to those of their Scolytinae preys, which limits using trap color to minimize their inadvertent removal. Overall, this study confirmed that understanding the color perception mechanisms in wood-boring beetles can lead to important improvements in trapping techniques and thereby increase the efficacy of surveillance programs.

scholarly journals Springtime Bark-Splitting of Acer pseudoplatanus in Germany

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1106
Author(s):  
Ernst Detlef Schulze ◽  
Fritz Schweingruber ◽  
Martin M. Gossner ◽  
Angela Günther ◽  
Ulrich Weber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Warm Period ◽  
Acer Pseudoplatanus ◽  
Cold Spell ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Future ◽  
Extreme Cold ◽  
Cambial Cells ◽  
Wood Boring

A large-scale regional event of springtime bark-splitting in Acer pseudoplatanus was observed in Germany in May 2018, where bark dissected from the wood. In young trees, an average of about 30% of the circumference was affected by cracks that were up to 8 m long. The damage occurred on the south-facing side of the trees after a warm period in March, followed by an extreme cold spell and warm temperatures. In this study, we investigated the possible causes of this damage. The damage occurred in the expanding xylem with cambial cells remaining in the bark. These cells-initiated growths of new, bark-based stems. The unprotected xylem was attacked by several fungi and wood-boring bark beetles. The mode of damage-recovery suggested that this event will eventually lead to a frost-scar-like structure in the future that will not totally heal, because the new stems attached to the old bark were in the process of forming new bark. Due to the increase in variation of springtime temperatures observed over the past 40 years, such damage may become more common in the future.

scholarly journals Image-Processing Software for High-Throughput Quantification of Colony Luminescence

mSphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eyal Dafni ◽  
Iddo Weiner ◽  
Noam Shahar ◽  
Tamir Tuller ◽  
Iftach Yacoby
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
Automatic Identification ◽  
Biological Noise ◽  
Quantitative Measurements ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Luminescence Assay ◽  
Luminescent Signal ◽  
Automatic Methods ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
Microbiological Assays

ABSTRACTMany microbiological assays include colonies that produce a luminescent or fluorescent (here generalized as “luminescent”) signal, often in the form of luminescent halos around the colonies. These signals are used as reporters for a trait of interest; therefore, exact measurements of the luminescence are often desired. However, there is currently a lack of high-throughput methods for analyzing these assays, as common automatic image analysis tools are unsuitable for identifying these halos in the presence of the inherent biological noise. In this work, we have developed CFQuant—automatic, high-throughput software for the analysis of images from colony luminescence assays. CFQuant overcomes the problems of automatic identification by relying on the luminescence halo's expected shape and provides measurements of several features of the colonies and halos. We examined the performance of CFQuant using one such colony luminescence assay, where we achieved a high correlation (R = 0.85) between the measurements of CFQuant and known protein expression levels. This demonstrates CFQuant's potential as a fast and reliable tool for analysis of colony luminescence assays.IMPORTANCELuminescent markers are widely used as reporters for various biologically interesting traits. In colony luminescence assays, the levels of luminescence around each colony can be used to compare the levels of traits of interest for different strains, treatments, etc., using quantitative measurements of the luminescence. However, automatic methods of obtaining this data are underdeveloped, making this a laborious manual process, especially in analyzing large numbers of colonies. The significance of this work is in developing an automatic, high-throughput tool for quantitative analysis of colony luminescence assays, which will allow fast collection of qualitative data from these assays and thus increase their overall usability.

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