scholarly journals Bark Beetle Population Dynamics in the Anthropocene: Challenges and Solutions

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter H. W. Biedermann ◽  
Jean-Claude Grégoire ◽  
Axel Gruppe ◽  
Jonas Hagge ◽  
Almuth Hammerbacher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Collaborative Research ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ips Typographus ◽  
Ecological Framework ◽  
Beetle Population ◽  
Spruce Bark ◽  
Important Pest

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.

Comparison of pathogens infection level in Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) beetles sampled in pheromone traps and at place of overwintering

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina Lukášová ◽  
Jaroslav Holuša
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Ips Typographus ◽  
Pheromone Traps ◽  
Infection Level ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Flight Ability ◽  
Spruce Bark

AbstractThe importance of pathogens in the population dynamics of Ips typographus remains a subject of ongoing debate. The main objective of our experiment was to compare the pathogen infection levels of individuals overwintering in bark with the levels of individuals from the same population captured with pheromone traps and thereby to determine primary answers as to whether it can be confirmed that pathogenic organisms affect the flight ability of bark beetles or their ability to leave their places of overwintering. A total of 402 I. typographus individuals were analyzed at a study location under limited management. Three pathogens were confirmed to be present: the gregarine Gregarina typographi, the virus ItEPV, and the microsporidium Nosema typographi. Infection levels of Gregarina typographi and ItEPV were the same in beetles collected at places of overwintering and in those beetles collected in pheromone traps within the immediate vicinity. As these pathogens infect the host’s intestine, the tendency to leave the places of overwintering is apparently not diminished. A similar analysis and comparison of pathogens located in the fat body might bring different results, as our study only detected N. typographi in a single dissected adult spruce bark beetle.

scholarly journals Drivers of Spruce Bark Beetle (Ips typographus) Infestations on Downed Trees after Severe Windthrow

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1290
Author(s):  
Branislav Hroššo ◽  
Pavel Mezei ◽  
Mária Potterf ◽  
Andrej Majdák ◽  
Miroslav Blaženec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Ips Typographus ◽  
Wind Damage ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Spruce Bark Beetle ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Spruce Bark

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.

scholarly journals A Highly Contiguous Genome Assembly of a Major Forest Pest, the Eurasian Spruce Bark Beetle Ips Typographus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Powell ◽  
Ewald Grosse-Wilde ◽  
Paal Krokene ◽  
Amit Roy ◽  
Amrita Chakraborty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Genome Assembly ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Ips Typographus ◽  
Whole Genome Sequence ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Spruce Bark Beetle ◽  
Spruce Bark

Abstract Conifer-feeding bark beetles are important herbivores and decomposers in forest ecosystems. These species have evolved specializations to complete their life cycle in nutritionally poor wooden substrates and some can overwhelm tree defences and kill enormous numbers of trees during population outbreaks. The Eurasian spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) is one tree-killing species; during a recent epidemic it destroyed >100 million m3 of spruce in a single year. We report a 236 Mb, highly contiguous I. typographus genome assembly using PacBio long-read sequencing. The final phased assembly had a contig N50 of 6.65 Mb in 272 contigs and was predicted to contain 23,923 protein-coding genes. Comparative genomic analysis including 11 additional coleopterans revealed expanded gene families associated with plant cell wall degradation, including pectinases, aspartyl proteases, and glycosyl hydrolases. This first whole-genome sequence from the genus Ips provides timely resources to address important questions about the evolutionary biology of the true weevils (Curculionidae), one of the most species-rich animal families. This resource will also allow for improved studies of functional genomics of both fundamental and applied value. In forests of today, increasingly stressed by global warming, this draft genome may ultimately assist in developing novel pest control strategies to mitigate outbreaks.

scholarly journals Ursachen und Verlauf der Buchdrucker-Epidemien (Ips typographus L.) in der Schweiz von 1984 bis 1999 | Causes and progress of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle epidemics (Ips typographus) in Switzerland from 1984 to 1999

2003 ◽  
Vol 154 (11) ◽  
pp. 437-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franz Meier ◽  
Rolf Gall ◽  
Beat Forster
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
National Level ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Ips Typographus ◽  
Annual Data ◽  
Storm Damage ◽  
Spruce Bark Beetle ◽  
Breeding Material ◽  
Spruce Bark

In the past 20 years, several mass attacks by the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) occurred in Switzerland. Since 1984 data on compulsory fellings, numbers of infestation spots and numbers of beetles captured in pheromone traps have been collected in all Swiss forest districts. The annual data were published in short reports. This paper gives an overview of the progress of bark beetle epidemics from 1984 to 1999. On the national level, two periods with epidemics of the spruce bark beetle can be distinguished. The first epidemic started after windthrows and drought in the years 1982 and 1983. It reached its height in 1984/1985 and faded at the end of the decade. The second epidemic started after the storm Vivian (February 1990). It reached its height in 1992/1993 and ended in 1997. Storm damage that produced high quantities of suitable breeding material was not the only factor for the bark beetle gradation;weather conditions were also exceptional, such as hot and dry vegetation periods. Windthrows and exceptional weather conditions are mostly events on regional scales and do not affect the whole country with the same intensity. The gradation that appears to be an «epidemic of the spruce bark beetle in Switzerland after the storm Vivian» is in truth the accumulation of several local epidemics. This is shown by the number of compulsory fellings and infestation spots analysed at regional levels. Extreme weather conditions and storms not only directly influence the bark beetle population, they also stress standing trees, thus creating suitable breeding material for bark beetles. To analyse the influence of exceptional weather conditions on bark beetle epidemics,it is therefore necessary to evaluate regional data.

scholarly journals Identification of male produced compounds in the bark beetle Polygraphus subopacus and establishment of (Z)-2-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)-ethanol as an aggregation pheromone component

Chemoecology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Viklund ◽  
Joakim Bång ◽  
Martin Schroeder ◽  
Erik Hedenström
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Aggregation Pheromone ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Ips Typographus ◽  
Spruce Bark ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Male Specific ◽  
Minor Compound

AbstractBark beetles of the genus Polygraphus have recently been involved in large bark beetle outbreaks in central Sweden, together with the European spruce bark beetle Ips typographus. Three species of Polygraphus can be found in this region; Polygraphus poligraphus, Polygraphus punctifrons and Polygraphus subopacus. Efficient pheromone traps would facilitate further investigations of these species and their role in bark beetle outbreaks. Pheromone compounds have previously been identified in P. poligraphus and P. punctifrons, but not in P. subopacus. Thus, we allowed males and females of P. subopacus to bore in the bark of stem sections of Norway spruce (Picea abies) in the laboratory. Volatile organic compounds from boring insects were sampled with SPME and analysed with GC–MS and several male-specific compounds were observed. The male specific compounds were 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol, 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol, 3-methyl-2-butenal, grandisol, fragranol, (Z)-2-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)-ethanol, (E)-2-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)-ethanol, (Z)-2-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)-acetaldehyde, (E)-2-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)-acetaldehyde, geranial and γ-isogeraniol. (Z)-2-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene)-ethanol, [(Z)-DMCHE], was identified from GC–MS analysis to be the major male-specific compound while the (E)-isomer, [(E)-DMCHE], was found as a minor compound. These two compounds gave positive responses in EAG analyses with antennae from males and females of P. subopacus. Thus, (Z)- and (E)-DMCHE were used in a field experiment in central Sweden but only (Z)-DMCHE was found to be attractive to males and females of P. subopacus. Consequently, (Z)-DMCHE was established to be a component of P. subopacus aggregation pheromone.

scholarly journals Efficacy of synthetic lures for pine bark beetle monitoring

2022 ◽  
Vol 68 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 19-25
Author(s):  
Miloš Knížek ◽  
Jan Liška ◽  
Adam Véle
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ips Typographus ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Baited Traps ◽  
Pine Trees ◽  
Ips Sexdentatus

The Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) plantations in central Europe are currently damaged by a large-scale infestation by bark beetles (Scolytinae). Ips acuminatus and Ips sexdentatus are among the most aggressive species causing infestations of pine trees that are currently simultaneously attacked by Ips typographus. In pine plantations prone to damage, it is therefore necessary to carry out the bark beetle monitoring. One of the used methods is the pheromone bark beetle trapping using synthetic lures. The efficacy of synthetic lures differs. We tested the efficacy of commercially available lures used in the protection of pine trees. In total, we deployed 10 trap series, each consisting of traps with eight different lures and two unbaited traps (controls). Ips acuminatus and I. sexdentatus were most abundantly captured in Pheagr-IAC- and Sexowit-baited traps. Interestingly, the spruce species I. typographus was also captured and most often found in traps with Pheagr-IAC and Erosowit Tube lures. The number of captured beetles was consistent with the gradation phase of bark beetles. Our results suggest the suitability of pheromone traps for bark beetle monitoring. The use of Sexowit can be recommended especially in southwestern Moravia, where I. sexdentatus occurs in high numbers in the long run. In other parts of the Czech Republic, Pheagr-IAC alone can be used with sufficient efficacy. The use of the Erosowit Tube lure is also suitable for I. typographus and I. sexdentatus monitoring.

scholarly journals A highly-contiguous genome assembly of the Eurasian spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, provides insight into a major forest pest

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Powell ◽  
Ewald Groβe-Wilde ◽  
Paal Krokene ◽  
Amit Roy ◽  
Amrita Chakraborty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Genome Assembly ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Ips Typographus ◽  
Glycosyl Hydrolases ◽  
Spruce Bark Beetle ◽  
Spruce Bark

AbstractConifer-feeding bark beetles are important herbivores and decomposers in forest ecosystems. These species complete their life cycle in nutritionally poor substrates and some can kill enormous numbers of trees during population outbreaks. The Eurasian spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) can destroy >100 million m3 of spruce in a single year. We report a 236.8 Mb I. typographus genome assembly using PacBio long-read sequencing. The final phased assembly has a contig N50 of 6.65 Mb in 272 contigs and is predicted to contain 23,923 protein-coding genes. We reveal expanded gene families associated with plant cell wall degradation, including pectinases, aspartyl proteases, and glycosyl hydrolases. This genome sequence from the genus Ips provides timely resources to address questions about the evolutionary biology of the true weevils (Curculionidae), one of the most species-rich animal families. In forests of today, increasingly stressed by global warming, this draft genome may assist in developing pest control strategies to mitigate outbreaks.

scholarly journals Antioxidant defences of Norway spruce bark against bark beetles and its associated blue-stain fungus

Agricultura ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 9-18
Author(s):  
Mateja Felicijan ◽  
Metka Novak ◽  
Nada Kraševec ◽  
Andreja Urbanek Krajnc
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Ips Typographus ◽  
Inducible Defences ◽  
Defence Mechanisms ◽  
Spruce Bark ◽  
Blue Stain ◽  
Ceratocystis Polonica

Abstract Bark beetles and their fungal associates are integral parts of forest ecosystems, the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus Linnaeus, 1758) and the associated pathogenic blue stain fungus Ceratocystis polonica (SIEM.) C. MOREAU, are the most devastating pests regarding Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. KARST.]. Bark beetles commonly inhabit weakened and felled trees as well as vital trees. They cause physiological disorders in trees by destroying a phloem and cambium or interrupt the transpiration -ow in the xylem. Conifers have a wide range of effective defence mechanisms that are based on the inner bark anatomy and physiological state of the tree. The basic function of bark defences is to protect the nutrient-and energy-rich phloem, the vital meristematic region of the vascular cambium, and the transpiration -ow in the sapwood. The main area of defence mechanisms is secondary phloem, which is physically and chemically protected by polyphenolic parenchyma (PP) cells, sclerenchyma, calcium oxalate crystals and resin ducts. Conifer trunk pest resistance includes constitutive, inducible defences and acquired resistance. Both constitutive and inducible defences may deter beetle invasion, impede fungal growth and close entrance wounds. During a successful attack, systemic acquired resistance (SAR) becomes effective and represents a third defence strategy. It gradually develops throughout the plant and provides a systemic change within the whole tree’s metabolism, which is maintained over a longer period of time. The broad range of defence mechanisms that contribute to the activation and utilisation of SAR, includes antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes, which are generally linked to the actions of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The presented review discusses the current knowledge on the antioxidant defence strategies of spruce inner bark against the bark beetle (Ips typographus) and associated blue stain fungus (Ceratocystis polonica).

scholarly journals Population dynamics of eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus[L.]) in the area of National Nature Reserve Praděd in 1998–2001

2012 ◽  
Vol 51 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 359-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Plašil ◽  
P. Cudlín
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Ips Typographus ◽  
Present Condition ◽  
National Nature Reserve ◽  
Spruce Bark ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Standing Dead ◽  
Research Findings

The paper deals with the study of bionomics and population dynamics of Ips typographus (L.) in the area of the Praděd National Nature Reserve (NNR). Data were collected on the basis of detected feeding marks, beetles caught in traps, and also according to the frequency of occurrence or increase in the number of standing dead trees killed by the bark beetle attack in localities where sanitation felling was not performed. Finally, evaluation of the present condition of forest stand and population dynamics of Ips typographus was carried out. The results showed that the stands currently occur in the stage of disintegration when the role of the bark beetle is irreplaceable. Based on the research findings, the management of the bark beetle was proposed that would enable to achieve so-called regulated disintegration of natural spruce forests in the area of the Praděd NNR.

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