scholarly journals Ambrosia Beetles Prefer Closed Canopies: A Case Study in Oak Forests in Central Europe

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1223
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Holuša ◽  
Tomáš Fiala ◽  
Jiří Foit
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Vegetation Period ◽  
Ambrosia Beetle ◽  
Canopy Closure ◽  
Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Ambrosia Fungi ◽  
Oak Trees

Research Highlights: The percentage of canopy closure was found to be the main factor associated with ambrosia beetle abundance and species richness. The latter two variables increased as canopy closure increased, probably because a high percentage of canopy closure provides a stable and humid environment suitable for the growth of ambrosia fungi. Objectives: Oak is a common host tree for ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), which have independently evolved a nutritional mutualism with fungi. We suspected that ambrosia beetles might have specific habitat preferences that are different from those of other saproxylic beetles and that reflect the specific habitat preferences of their food, i.e., ambrosia fungi. Methods: We assessed ambrosia beetle abundance with ethanol-lured traps in five old-growth oak dominated forests and five managed oak dominated forests (one trap per forest) during the vegetation period in 2020. We determined whether ambrosia beetle abundance and species richness depend on forest type (managed vs. unmanaged), degree of canopy closure, abundance of oak trees, abundance of coarse deadwood, and abundance of dead oak branches. Results: In total, 4137 individuals of six species of ambrosia beetles associated with oaks were captured. The native ambrosia beetle Anisandrus dispar represented the majority of trapped ambrosia bark beetles. A. dispar along with another ambrosia beetle, Xyleborinus saxesenii, represented 99% of all captured beetles. Conclusions: In addition to canopy closure, the abundance of oak trees and the abundance of dead oak branches were significantly associated with ambrosia beetle abundance and species richness. The abundance of A. dispar was mainly correlated with dead oak branch abundance and the degree of canopy closure, whereas the abundances of X. saxesenii and of the invasive species Xyleborinus attenuatus and Cyclorhipidion bodoanum were mainly correlated with the net area occupied by oak trees.

scholarly journals Evidence for Succession and Putative Metabolic Roles of Fungi and Bacteria in the Farming Mutualism of the Ambrosia Beetle Xyleborus affinis

mSystems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Ibarra-Juarez ◽  
M. A. J. Burton ◽  
P. H. W. Biedermann ◽  
L. Cruz ◽  
D. Desgarennes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Amino Acid ◽  
Enzymatic Degradation ◽  
Ambrosia Beetle ◽  
Atmospheric Nitrogen ◽  
Bacterial Symbionts ◽  
Amino Acid Production ◽  
Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Ambrosia Fungi

Ambrosia beetles farm their own food fungi within tunnel systems in wood and are among the three insect lineages performing agriculture (the others are fungus-farming ants and termites). In ambrosia beetles, primary ambrosia fungus cultivars have been regarded essential, whereas other microbes have been more or less ignored. Our KEGG analyses suggest so far unknown roles of yeasts and bacterial symbionts, by preparing the tunnel walls for the primary ambrosia fungi. This preparation includes enzymatic degradation of wood, essential amino acid production, and nitrogen fixation. The latter is especially exciting because if it turns out to be present in vivo in ambrosia beetles, all farming animals (including humans) are dependent on atmospheric nitrogen fertilization of their crops. As previous internal transcribed spacer (ITS) metabarcoding approaches failed on covering the primary ambrosia fungi, our 18S metabarcoding approach can also serve as a template for future studies on the ambrosia beetle-fungus symbiosis.

scholarly journals Ethanol-Enriched Substrate Facilitates Ambrosia Beetle Fungi, but Inhibits Their Pathogens and Fungal Symbionts of Bark Beetles

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Lehenberger ◽  
Markus Benkert ◽  
Peter H. W. Biedermann
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Dendroctonus Ponderosae ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Ambrosia Beetle ◽  
Beetle Species ◽  
Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Defensive Role

Bark beetles (sensu lato) colonize woody tissues like phloem or xylem and are associated with a broad range of micro-organisms. Specific fungi in the ascomycete orders Hypocreales, Microascales and Ophistomatales as well as the basidiomycete Russulales have been found to be of high importance for successful tree colonization and reproduction in many species. While fungal mutualisms are facultative for most phloem-colonizing bark beetles (sensu stricto), xylem-colonizing ambrosia beetles are long known to obligatorily depend on mutualistic fungi for nutrition of adults and larvae. Recently, a defensive role of fungal mutualists for their ambrosia beetle hosts was revealed: Few tested mutualists outcompeted other beetle-antagonistic fungi by their ability to produce, detoxify and metabolize ethanol, which is naturally occurring in stressed and/or dying trees that many ambrosia beetle species preferentially colonize. Here, we aim to test (i) how widespread beneficial effects of ethanol are among the independently evolved lineages of ambrosia beetle fungal mutualists and (ii) whether it is also present in common fungal symbionts of two bark beetle species (Ips typographus, Dendroctonus ponderosae) and some general fungal antagonists of bark and ambrosia beetle species. The majority of mutualistic ambrosia beetle fungi tested benefited (or at least were not harmed) by the presence of ethanol in terms of growth parameters (e.g., biomass), whereas fungal antagonists were inhibited. This confirms the competitive advantage of nutritional mutualists in the beetle’s preferred, ethanol-containing host material. Even though most bark beetle fungi are found in the same phylogenetic lineages and ancestral to the ambrosia beetle (sensu stricto) fungi, most of them were highly negatively affected by ethanol and only a nutritional mutualist of Dendroctonus ponderosae benefited, however. This suggests that ethanol tolerance is a derived trait in nutritional fungal mutualists, particularly in ambrosia beetles that show cooperative farming of their fungi.

scholarly journals Maximizing Bark and Ambrosia Beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Catches in Trapping Surveys for Longhorn and Jewel Beetles

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (6) ◽  
pp. 2745-2757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Marchioro ◽  
Davide Rassati ◽  
Massimo Faccoli ◽  
Kate Van Rooyen ◽  
Chantelle Kostanowicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Ambrosia Beetle ◽  
Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Longhorn Beetles ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Trap Color ◽  
Bark And Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Trap Height ◽  
Associated Species ◽  
Wood Boring

Abstract Bark and ambrosia beetles are commonly moved among continents within timber and fresh wood-packaging materials. Routine visual inspections of imported commodities are often complemented with baited traps set up in natural areas surrounding entry points. Given that these activities can be expensive, trapping protocols that attract multiple species simultaneously are needed. Here we investigated whether trapping protocols commonly used to detect longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) can be exploited also for detecting bark and ambrosia beetles. In factorial experiments conducted in 2016 both in Italy (seminatural and reforested forests) and Canada (mixed forest) we tested the effect of trap color (green vs purple), trap height (understory vs canopy), and attractive blend (hardwood-blend developed for broadleaf-associated wood-boring beetles vs ethanol in Italy; hardwood-blend vs softwood-blend developed for conifer-associated wood-boring beetles, in Canada) separately on bark beetles and ambrosia beetles, as well as on individual bark and ambrosia beetle species. Trap color affected catch of ambrosia beetles more so than bark beetles, with purple traps generally more attractive than green traps. Trap height affected both beetle groups, with understory traps generally performing better than canopy traps. Hardwood-blend and ethanol performed almost equally in attracting ambrosia beetles in Italy, whereas hardwood-blend and softwood-blend were more attractive to broadleaf-associated species and conifer-associated species, respectively, in Canada. In general, we showed that trapping variables suitable for generic surveillance of longhorn and jewel beetles may also be exploited for survey of bark and ambrosia beetles, but trapping protocols must be adjusted depending on the forest type.

Notes on the habits and distribution of some Ghanaian bark beetles and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae and Platypodidae)

1963 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. G. Browne
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Ambrosia Beetle ◽  
Forest Trees ◽  
Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Beneficial Insects ◽  
Forest Insects ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Young Forest ◽  
Commercial Value ◽  
Seed Insects

Brief notes are given on the distribution and habits of 42 species of Scolytidae and 34 of Platypodidae that occur as common forest insects in Ghana. A considerable number of these can be considered as beneficial insects because they do little damage but assist in the rapid break-down of dead trees and felling slash. Others are injurious mainly as timber borers, shoot borers or, generally to a lesser extent, as bark beetles and seed insects. Trachyostus ghanaensis Schedl and Doliopygus dubius (Samps.) are of outstanding importance in their constant or frequent habit of attacking the wood of living trees of commercial value; Platypus hintzi Schanf., Doliopygus conradti (Strohm.) and D. brevis (Strohm.) are probably the most important ambrosia beetle borers of newly felled timber; and Xyleborus semiopacus Eichh. has been known to destroy whole plantations of young forest trees.

scholarly journals Raffaelea quercina sp. nov. Associated with Cork Oak (Quercus suber L.) Decline in Portugal

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 513
Author(s):  
Maria L. Inácio ◽  
José Marcelino ◽  
Arlindo Lima ◽  
Edmundo Sousa ◽  
Filomena Nóbrega
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Quercus Suber ◽  
Cork Oak ◽  
Ambrosia Beetle ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Oak Decline ◽  
Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Oak Trees ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Research Highlights: Raffaelea quercina sp. nov. is an ophiostomatoid fungus isolated from the ambrosia beetle Platypus cylindrus. The species occurs in symptomatic Portuguese cork oak trees, (Quercus suber L.), exhibiting vegetative decline. Background and Objectives: Quercus suber L. is a species restricted to the Mediterranean basin, of special economic importance as it constitutes the crucial raw material for the cork production industry, in particular for Portugal, the world’s leading producer. Over the last three decades a progressive and alarming decline of cork oak trees has been observed across its distribution area, including Portugal. The ambrosia beetle Platypus cylindrus, commonly known as the oak pinhole borer, establishes symbiotic relationships with fungi from which it depends for survival and for oak colonization. Some of these fungi are ophiostomatoid species of the Raffaelea genus, known as ambrosia fungi associated with ambrosia beetles. Some Raffaelea species exhibit phytopathogenic activity causing wilting and/or death of trees. The objective of the present study is to identify the association between P. cylindrus and Raffaelea species in Portuguese cork oak stands showing symptoms of disease and decline. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 adult insects were collected as they emerged from cork oak logs, sampled from symptomatic trees. Axenic isolates of Raffaelea species were obtained from the beetles and their galleries in the trunks and identified based on morphological features and molecular analysis of the SSU and LSU rDNA regions. Results: Two Raffaelea species were identified, i.e., R. montetyi and a novel Raffaelea species closely related to R. canadensis. The novel species is morphologically and genetically characterized in this study, and erected as Raffaelea quercina M.L. Inácio, E. Sousa & F. Nóbrega, sp. nov. Raffaelea quercina constitutes a new phytopathogenic fungal species associated with P. cylindrus and cork oak trees exhibiting symptoms of vegetative decline. Conclusions: Raffaelea species appear to have a significant role in cork oak decline. Future research on the association between P. cylindrus and Raffaelea species, encompassing the trans-European and North African wide-range of cork oak stands, would further clarify the relationships between ambrosia beetles, associated fungi and cork oak decline, contributing to a better understanding of the phenomena and for strategies aiming to halt the continuous decline of the unique cork oak stands enclosed in the Mediterranean basin.

scholarly journals Marked Differences in Butterfly Assemblage Composition between Forest Types in Central Amazonia, Brazil

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 942
Author(s):  
Isabela Freitas Oliveira ◽  
Fabricio Beggiato Baccaro ◽  
Fernanda P. Werneck ◽  
Thamara Zacca ◽  
Torbjørn Haugaasen
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
High Water ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Terra Firme ◽  
Central Amazonia ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
Contrasting Habitats ◽  
Seasonally Flooded

Amazonia comprises a mosaic of contrasting habitats, with wide environmental heterogeneity at local and regional scales. In central Amazonia, upland forest (terra firme) is the predominant forest type and seasonally flooded forests inundated by white- and black-water rivers (várzea and igapó, respectively) represent around 20% of the forested areas. In this work, we took advantage of a natural spatial arrangement of the main vegetation types in central Amazonia to investigate butterfly assemblage structure in terra firme, várzea and igapó forests at the local scale. We sampled in the low- and high-water seasons, combining active and passive sampling with traps placed in both the understory and canopy. Terra firme supported the highest number of butterfly species, whereas várzea forest provided the highest number of butterfly captures. The high species richness in terra firme may reflect that this forest type is floristically richer than várzea and igapó. Várzea is a very productive environment and may thus support a higher number of butterfly individuals than terra firme and igapó. Most butterfly species (80.2%) were unique to a single forest type and 17 can be considered forest type indicator species in this landscape. Floodplain forest environments are therefore an important complement to terra firme in terms of butterfly species richness and conservation in Amazonia.

scholarly journals Long-Lasting Insecticide Netting for Protecting Tree Stems from Attack by Ambrosia Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Ranger ◽  
Christopher T. Werle ◽  
Peter B. Schultz ◽  
Karla M. Addesso ◽  
Jason B. Oliver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Conditions ◽  
Ambrosia Beetle ◽  
Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Cercis Canadensis ◽  
Fine Mesh ◽  
Junction Trees ◽  
Eastern Redbud ◽  
Wood Boring ◽  
Xylosandrus Germanus

Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are destructive wood-boring insects of horticultural trees. We evaluated long-lasting insecticide netting for protecting stems against ambrosia beetles. Container-grown eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis, trees were flood-stressed to induce ambrosia beetle attacks, and deltamethrin-treated netting was wrapped from the base of the stem vertically to the branch junction. Trees were deployed under field conditions in Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, and Mississippi with the following treatments: (1) flooded tree; (2) flooded tree with untreated netting; (3) flooded tree with treated ‘standard mesh’ netting of 24 holes/cm2; (4) flooded tree with treated ‘fine mesh’ netting of 28 holes/cm2; and/or (5) non-flooded tree. Treated netting reduced attacks compared to untreated netting and/or unprotected trees in Mississippi in 2017, Ohio and Tennessee in 2018, and Virginia in 2017–2018. Inconsistent effects occurred in Mississippi in 2018. Fewer Anisandrus maiche, Xylosandrus germanus, and Xyleborinus saxesenii were dissected from trees deployed in Ohio protected with treated netting compared to untreated netting; trees deployed in other locations were not dissected. These results indicate long-lasting insecticide netting can provide some protection of trees from ambrosia beetle attacks.

scholarly journals The Risk of Bark and Ambrosia Beetles Associated with Imported Non-Coniferous Wood and Potential Horizontal Phytosanitary Measures

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 342
Author(s):  
Fabienne Grousset ◽  
Jean-Claude Grégoire ◽  
Hervé Jactel ◽  
Andrea Battisti ◽  
Anita Benko Beloglavec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Ambrosia Beetle ◽  
Full Detail ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Beetle Species ◽  
Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Bark And Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Phytosanitary Measures ◽  
Coniferous Wood

Many bark and ambrosia beetle species (Coleoptera: Scolytinae and Platypodinae) are known to have spread worldwide in relation to international trade. Concerns have been expressed within the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) about recent introductions of non-indigenous species of these groups. Regulation of the non-coniferous wood trade into many EPPO member countries is currently not sufficient to cover such risks. In 2018–2019, an EPPO study on the risk of bark and ambrosia beetles associated with imported non-coniferous wood was carried out, and the key characteristics contributing to the pest risk from introduced species were determined using expert consensus. This paper summarizes the key findings of the study, which are available in full detail on the EPPO website. The study identified biological and other risk factors and illustrated them with examples from 26 beetle species or groups of species known to be invasive or posing a threat to plant health. These representative species were classified into three categories based on known damage and level of uncertainty. In the present article, factorial discriminant analyses were used to identify features of bark and ambrosia beetle biology associated with damage caused and invasiveness. Based on the information assembled and consideration of the risk factors, it was recommended that in order to prevent the introduction of new bark and ambrosia beetles via non-coniferous wood commodities, horizontal phytosanitary measures should be adopted, irrespective of the host plant species and the origin (i.e., for all genera of non-coniferous woody plants and from all origins). Phytosanitary measures are presented here for various wood commodities.

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