<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophiostoma</Emphasis> species associated with bark beetles infesting three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies</Emphasis> species in Nikko,Japan

Ophiostoma species were isolated from bark beetles and Abies mariesii, A. veitchii and A. homolepis attacked by the beetles in Nikko, Tochigi, central Honshu, Japan. One to two Ophiostoma species were frequently isolated from each species of bark beetle. Ophiostoma subalpinum was the most common associate of Cryphalus montanus. Ophiostoma sp. B as well as O. subalpinum was a common fungus associated with Polygraphus proximus. Ophiostoma europhioides was isolated from Dryocoetes hectographus and D. autographus as one of the common associates. Ophiostoma sp. J and Ophiostoma sp. S were frequently isolated from D. autographus and D. striatus, respectively. These fungi seem to have specific relationships with particular bark beetles. Ophiostoma sp. B, Ophiostoma sp. J and Ophiostoma sp. S have unique morphological characteristics and appear to be new species. Five trees of A. veitchii, approximately 43 years old, were inoculated with five Ophiostoma species to assess the relative virulence of the fungi. Ophiostoma subalpinum, Ophiostoma sp. B, and O. europhioides had relatively higher virulence than the other species studied.     

Blue stain fungi associated withTomicus piniperda (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) on Japanese red pine

A number of various species of blue-stain fungi were isolated fromTomicus piniperda adults at various stages of development, as well as from the galleries, pupal chambers and sapwood underneath galleries on Japanese red pine. This study was an attempt to identify the species, composition of blue-stain fungi associated withT. piniperda, the frequency of occurrence of the fungi, and their role in the sapwood-staining of Japanese red pine in Tsukuba City, central Japan. Among the seven species of blue-stain fungi isolated, an undescribed species ofOphiostoma together withO. minus were the dominant species and closely associated withT. piniperda. These two species occurred on newly emerging adults more frequently than the overwintered adults.Hormonema dematioides was also associated with the beetle, however, its frequency of occurrence from the emerged new adults was very low. Although the two other species,O. ips andGraphium sp. were also isolated from emerged beetles, the frequency of these fungi from gallery systems suggested that they were accidentally carried byT. piniperda. Leptographium wingfieldii, known to be associated with the beetle in Europe, was also isolated at a very low frequency and the fungus seemed not to be closely associated with the beetle.Ophiostoma sp. andO. minus appear to be the most important causes of blue-stain of Japanese red pine sapwood after infestation byT. piniperda.     

Comparisons of Ophiostomatoid fungi associated withTomicus piniperda andT. minor in Japanese red pine

Five species ofOphiostoma, twoLeptographium species and aGraphium species were isolated from two morphologically and ecologically similar bark beetle species,Tomicus piniperda andT. minor, and their infested Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Honshu, Japan. An underscribedOphiostoma species andO. minus were isolated mainly fromT. piniperda and its galleries.Ophiostoma canum which was found for the first time in Japan was mainly fromT. minor and its galleries. Specific relationships between the beetles and fungal species are suggested. Contribution No.140, Laboratory of Plant Pathology and Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba. Part of this study was presented at 108th Annual meeting of Japanese Forestry Society, April 2, 1997, Fukuoka, Japan.     

Pronounced fluctuations of spruce bark beetle (Scolytinae: Ips typographus) populations do not invoke genetic differentiation

The dynamics of a recent outbreak of the spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) in Switzerland was ruled by a devastating winter storm in 1999 and the drought and heat of the summer 2003. Starting from a similar level of population sizes, estimated as the rate of infested growing stock, beetle populations increased differently in magnitude and time among different regions in Switzerland. Accordingly, we expected local or regional genetic differentiation as a result of such repeated population expansion/breakdown dynamics. We analyzed 5 nuclear microsatellites of spruce bark beetles sampled from pheromone traps at 30 locations distributed over Switzerland. Our genetic results did not indicate any sign of population differentiation, structure, isolation by distance, or recent bottlenecks. This complete lack of genetic structure suggests that spruce bark beetles are highly mobile, precluding the formation of a spatial structure at neutral molecular markers. Thus, this molecular–genetic approach does not allow us to discriminate among regional gene pools and to identify the origin of expanding beetle populations.     

Fungi associated with the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus in an endemic area in Norway

To investigate the fungal flora associated with the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus in an endemic area, beetles were collected during the flight period in six locations in Tr?ndelag, Norway. The beetles were inoculated into fresh Norway spruce logs, and the frequency of different species was monitored by fungal isolation from bark and wood. The most common species were Ophiostoma bicolor, O. penicillatum, O. polonicum and a previously undescribed Graphium species, the same species which were the most important associates of I. Typographus in an epidemic area in southeastern Norway. The frequency of the primary invader, O. polonicum, was, however, lower in Tr?ndelag, which may indicate that this species is less frequent in endemic areas than in epidemic areas.     

Frequency, species composition and efficiency of Ips typographus (Col., Scolytidae) parasitoids in infested spruce forests in the National Park “Bavarian Forest” over three consecutive years

During the summers of three consecutive years (2002, 2003 and 2004) the parasitoid fauna of the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus was investigated in the national park “Bavarian Forest”. In the central part of this forest no human influence in the population dynamics is allowed, whereas, in the surrounding no bark beetle attacks are accepted and all infested wood is removed consequently. Species frequency and species composition did not differ much in 2002 and 2003, when Coeloides bostrichorum and Roptrocerus sp. was most numerous. But in 2004 species composition changed with the increase of R. tutela and the decrease of C. bostrichorum. We found that C. bostrichorum reached very high numbers of individuals, but its frequency did not exceed 31% during 3 years while the pteromalid wasps were not so numerous, but had very high frequencies. For Roptrocerus, we found 55, 82 and 85% and for R. tutela 41, 67 and 85% frequency. In 2004, mean parasitization was higher (8.5) as in 2003 (5.8%). The highest parasitization in one sample was 92.2% in 2002 caused by C. bostrichorum, 73.5% in 2003 caused by C. bostrichorum and R. tutela and 59.8% in 2004 caused by R. tutela and Roptrocerus. Our hypothesis that the influence of parasitoids on the population dynamics of I. typographus is greater in natural forests than in normal treated forests could not be corroborated.     

Quantifying spatio-temporal dispersion of bark beetle infestations in epidemic and non-epidemic conditions

Spatio-temporal dispersal of pest species such as bark beetles plays a key role in their population ecology and outbreak dynamics. Understanding the underlying patterns is crucial for applying appropriate management strategies.In contrast to most existing studies which focus on dispersing beetles, we analysed patches of killed trees resulting from bark beetle infestation. The study was based on a 22-year time series of annually captured colour-infrared (CIR) images of the Bavarian Forest National Park (Germany), where Ips typographus L. (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) propagates undisturbed by human activity. Newly infested patches comprising at least 5 spruce trees were identified in every time step. This investigation of spatio-temporal spread of infestations primarily focused on (i) parameterizing the size and shape of infestation patches, (ii) modelling an infestation gradient and (iii) evaluating the risk of subsequent infestations on landscape scale. We developed a GIS-based distance ring approach to quantify the distance relation of subsequent infestations, including the distribution of potential hosts.Infestation spread was revealed to be strongly distance dependent, following an inverse power law function: on average 65% of new infestations occurred within a 100 m radius of the previous year’s infestations, and 95% within 500 m. ‘Distance’ proved to be a major determinant of I. typographus dispersal on the landscape scale in each time step of the 22-year series we investigated. Infestation distance thus describes the outcome of beetle dispersal very accurately. The time series showed two alternating periods of epidemic and non-epidemic infestation. These gradation stages did not affect the size and shape of infested patches, but epidemics correlated significantly with a higher percentage of infestations within short distances. Additionally, the resulting infestation risk is highly sensitive to the gradation stage, particularly within the first 100 m around source spots where it increases up to 30%.Our study therefore contributes to a better understanding of the outbreak dynamics of I. typographus and suggests concentrating efficient bark beetle management on areas in the close vicinity of previous years’ infestations.     

A low <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platypus quercivorus</Emphasis> hole density does not necessarily indicate a small flying population

The ambrosia beetle Platypus quercivorus causes mass mortality of Fagaceae trees in Japan, and tree species differ in their susceptibility to P. quercivorus. We hypothesized that interspecific differences in susceptibility are caused by differences in beetle infestation patterns, that is, how many beetles fly to a tree and how many of those arriving bore holes. To examine how tree susceptibility is related to these parameters, two tree species with different degrees of susceptibility were studied (highly susceptible Quercus crispula and less susceptible Q. salicina). Specifically, we measured the number of male beetles per unit area that flew to the host trees (NFM) and the density of holes bored by male beetles (DH). From these two values, we calculated the proportion of male beetles flying to a host tree that bored holes (PBM). These parameters were compared for the two Quercus species. Although the two species did not differ in NFM in 2003, PBM was markedly lower for Q. salicina than for Q. crispula and DH was significantly lower for Q. salicina than for Q. crispula. Thus, the lower susceptibility of Q. salicina is partly explained by its low PBM.     

Bark beetle-caused mortality in a drought-affected ponderosa pine landscape in Arizona,USA

Extensive ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) mortality associated with a widespread severe drought and increased bark beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) populations occurred in Arizona from 2001 to 2004. A complex of Ips beetles including: the Arizona fivespined ips, Ips lecontei Swaine, the pine engraver beetle, Ips pini (Say), Ips calligraphus (Germar), Ips latidens (LeConte), Ips knausi Swaine and Ips integer (Eichhoff) were the primary bark beetle species associated with ponderosa pine mortality. In this study we examine stand conditions and physiographic factors associated with bark beetle-caused tree mortality in ponderosa pine forests across five National Forests in Arizona. A total of 633 fixed-radius plots were established across five National Forests in Arizona: Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott, and Tonto. Prior to the bark beetle outbreak, plots with mortality had higher tree and stocking compared with plots without pine mortality. Logistic regression modeling found that probability of ponderosa pine mortality caused by bark beetles was positively correlated with tree density and inversely related with elevation and tree diameter. Given the large geographical extent of this study resulting logistic models to estimate the likelihood of bark beetle attack should have wide applicability across similar ponderosa pine forests across the Southwest. This is particularly true of a model driven by tree density and elevation constructed by combining all forests. Tree mortality resulted in significant reductions in basal area, tree density, stand density index, and mean tree diameter for ponderosa pine and for all species combined in these forests. Most of the observed pine mortality was in the 10–35 cm diameter class, which comprise much of the increase in tree density over the past century as a result of fire suppression and grazing practices. Ecological implications of tree mortality are discussed.     

Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with root‐feeding bark beetles on Scots pine in Poland

Ophiostomatoid fungi are known to be associated with various species of bark beetles. However, information about fungal associates of root‐feeding bark beetles in Europe is still fragmentary. For this reason, the fungal associates of Hylastes ater, H. opacus and Hylurgus ligniperda on Pinus sylvestris were isolated and identified. A total of 743 fungal isolates were collected and separated into 10 morphological groups. Analyses of ITS rDNA and partial β‐tubulin gene sequences confirmed that these groups represented distinct species. The 10 species included a total of 13 associations between fungi and bark beetles that had not been recorded previously. All of the bark beetles examined were frequently associated with ophiostomatoid fungi. The fungal diversity and relative abundance of species were very similar in the three species of root‐feeding bark beetles. The most commonly encountered associates of these beetles were Grosmannia radiaticola, Leptographium lundbergii, L. procerum and L. truncatum. Insect infestation data furthermore suggest that Hylastes spp. and Hg. ligniperda are also important vectors of the fungal pathogen Sphaeropsis sapinea.     

Carbon and nitrogen cycling immediately following bark beetle outbreaks in southwestern ponderosa pine forests

Bark beetle infestation is a well-known cause of historical low-level disturbance in southwestern ponderosa pine forests, but recent fire exclusion and increased tree densities have enabled large-scale bark beetle outbreaks with unknown consequences for ecosystem function. Uninfested and beetle-infested plots (n = 10 pairs of plots on two aspects) of ponderosa pine were compared over one growing season in the Sierra Ancha Experimental Forest, AZ to determine whether infestation was correlated with differences in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools and fluxes in aboveground biomass and soils. Infested plots had at least 80% of the overstory ponderosa pine trees attacked by bark beetles within 2 years of our measurements. Both uninfested and infested plots stored ∼9 kg C m⁻² in aboveground tree biomass, but infested plots held 60% of this aboveground tree biomass in dead trees, compared to 5% in uninfested plots. We hypothesized that decreased belowground C allocation following beetle-induced tree mortality would alter soil respiration rates, but this hypothesis was not supported; throughout the growing season, soil respiration in infested plots was similar to uninfested plots. In contrast, several results supported the hypothesis that premature needlefall from infested trees provided a pulse of low C:N needlefall that altered soil N cycling. The C:N mass ratio of pine needlefall in infested plots (∼45) was lower than uninfested plots (∼95) throughout the growing season. Mineral soils from infested plots had greater laboratory net nitrification rates and field resin bag ammonium accumulation than uninfested plots. As bark beetle outbreaks become increasingly prevalent in western landscapes, longer-term biogeochemical studies on interactions with other disturbances (e.g. fire, harvesting, etc.) will be required to predict changes in ecosystem structure and function.     

Fungi isolated from Picea abies infested by the bark beetle Ips typographus in the Białowieża forest in north‐eastern Poland

The assemblage of fungi occurring in the sapwood of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and in bark beetle galleries following attack by the Eurasian spruce bark beetle Ips typographus was investigated in the Bia?owie?a forest in north‐eastern Poland. Fungi were isolated from blue‐stained sapwood of beetle‐infested spruce trees in June 2002, and a few isolates were also obtained from ascospores and conidia taken from perithecia and asexual structures occurring in the gallery systems of the insects. The mycobiota of I. typographus in the Bia?owie?a forest was dominated by ophiostomatoid fungi, which were represented by seven species. Four species, including Ceratocystis polonica, Grosmannia penicillata, Ophiostoma ainoae and Ophiostoma bicolor were isolated at high frequencies, whereas three other taxa, Ceratocystiopsis minuta, Ceratocystiopsis alba and a Pesotum sp. were rare. The anamorphic fungus Graphium fimbriisporum and yeasts also occurred occasionally. In addition, the basidiomycete Gloeocystidium ipidophilum was relatively common. The pathogenic blue‐stain fungus C. polonica was the dominant fungal associate of I. typographus in the Bia?owie?a forest, which is consistent with a previous study at this area in the 1930s. Ceratocystis polonica was the most frequently isolated species at the leading edge of fungal colonization in the sapwood and had on an average penetrated deeper into the wood than other fungal associates. This suggests that it acts as a primary invader into the sapwood after attack by I. typographus in the Bia?owie?a forest, followed by O. bicolor, O. ainoae, G. ipidophilum and G. penicillata. Thus far, the Bia?owie?a forest is one of the few areas in Europe, where C. polonica has been reported as a dominate fungal associate of I. typographus.     

Response of bark beetles and their natural enemies to fire and fire surrogate treatments in mixed-conifer forests in western Montana

Four treatments (control, burn-only, thin-only, and thin-and-burn) were evaluated for their effects on bark beetle-caused mortality in both the short-term (one to four years) and the long-term (seven years) in mixed-conifer forests in western Montana, USA. In addition to assessing bark beetle responses to these treatments, we also measured natural enemy landing rates and resin flow of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) the season fire treatments were implemented. All bark beetles were present at low population levels (non-outbreak) for the duration of the study. Post-treatment mortality of trees due to bark beetles was lowest in the thin-only and control units and highest in the units receiving burns. Three tree-killing bark beetle species responded positively to fire treatments: Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae), pine engraver (Ips pini), and western pine beetle (Dendroctonus brevicomis). Red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens) responded positively to fire treatments, but never caused mortality. Three fire damage variables tested (height of crown scorch, percent circumference of the tree bole scorched, or degree of ground char) were significant factors in predicting beetle attack on trees. Douglas-fir beetle and pine engraver responded rapidly to increased availability of resources (fire-damaged trees); however, successful attacks dropped rapidly once these resources were depleted. Movement to green trees by pine engraver was not observed in plots receiving fire treatments, or in thinned plots where slash supported substantial reproduction by this beetle. The fourth tree-killing beetle present at the site, the mountain pine beetle, did not exhibit responses to any treatment. Natural enemies generally arrived at trees the same time as host bark beetles. However, the landing rates of only one, Medetera spp., was affected by treatment. This predator responded positively to thinning treatments. This insect was present in very high numbers indicating a regulatory effect on beetles, at least in the short-term, in thinned stands. Resin flow decreased from June to August. However, resin flow was significantly higher in trees in August than in June in fire treatments. Increased flow in burned trees later in the season did not affect beetle attack success. Overall, responses by beetles to treatments were short-term and limited to fire-damaged trees. Expansions into green trees did not occur. This lack of spread was likely due to a combination of high tree vigor in residual stands and low background populations of bark beetles.     

Multi-scale nest-site selection by black-backed woodpeckers in outbreaks of mountain pine beetles

Areas of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) outbreaks in the Black Hills can provide habitat for black-backed woodpeckers (Picoides arcticus), a U.S. Forest Service, Region 2 Sensitive Species. These outbreaks are managed through removal of trees infested with mountain pine beetles to control mountain pine beetle populations and salvage timber resources. To minimize impacts to black-backed woodpeckers while meeting management objectives, there is a need to identify characteristics of these areas that support black-backed woodpeckers. We examined the habitat associations of this species nesting in areas of beetle outbreaks in the Black Hills, South Dakota in 2004 and 2005. We used an information theoretic approach and discrete choice models to evaluate nest-site selection of 42 woodpecker nests at 3 spatial scales—territory, nest area, and nest tree. At the territory scale (250 m around nest), availability and distribution of food best explained black-backed woodpecker selection of beetle outbreaks versus the surrounding forest. Selection at the territory scale was positively associated with densities of trees currently infested by mountain pine beetles and indices of wood borer (Cerambycidae and Buprestidae) abundance, and was greatest at distances of 50–100 m from the nearest patch of infestation. At the nest-area scale (12.5 m radius around the nest), densities of snags positively influenced nest-area selection. Finally, at the nest-tree scale, aspen (Populus tremuloides) and 3–5-year-old ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) snags were important resources. The association between abundant wood-boring insects and black-backed woodpeckers creates a difficult challenge for forest managers. In the absence of fire, areas of beetle outbreak might serve as the only substantial source of habitat in the Black Hills. Regulating insect populations via salvage logging will reduce key food resources to black-backed woodpeckers during nesting. Therefore, given the relatively infrequent occurrence of large-scale fire in the Black Hills, management should recognize the importance of beetle-killed forests to the long-term viability of the black-backed woodpecker population in the Black Hills.     

Diversity of Ophiostomatales species associated with conifer-infesting beetles in the Western Carpathians

Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) are commonly recognised as important agents of tree mortality in coniferous forests of the Western Carpathians. They, together with weevils, are consistently associated with ophiostomatoid fungi. Information regarding conifer beetle-associated fungi in the Western Carpathians remains incomplete and unreliable, particularly with respect to fir-infesting bark beetles. This study aims to clarify associations between fungi in the genera Graphilbum, Leptographium, Ophiostoma and Sporothrix (Ophiostomatales) and their beetle vectors in Norway spruce (Picea abies), European larch (Larix decidua) and silver fir (Abies alba). Samples associated with 20 bark beetle species and weevils were collected from nine stands in Poland and the Czech Republic. Fungi were isolated from adult beetles and galleries. Isolates were identified based on morphology, DNA sequence comparisons for four gene regions (ITS, LSU, ß-tubulin, TEF 1-α) and phylogenetic analyses. In total, 46 distinct taxa were identified, including 25 known and 21 currently unknown species. Several associations between fungi and subcortical insects were recorded for the first time. In addition, O. borealis and O. quercus were detected from A. alba for the first time. The composition of the fungal communities varied among the studied tree species and to a lesser degree among the beetle species. The spruce-infesting bark beetles were commonly associated with species of Leptographium s. l. and Ophiostoma s. str.; the larch-infesting bark beetles were often associated with Ophiostoma s. str. and Sporothrix, while the fir-infesting bark beetles were commonly associated with Ophiostoma s. str. and Graphilbum. The most commonly encountered fungal associates of the examined insects were (a) Grosmannia cucullata, G. piceiperda, Grosmannia sp. 1, Ophiostoma macroclavatum and O. piceae with the spruce-infesting bark beetles; (b) O. pseudocatenulatum and Sporothrix sp. 1 with the larch-infesting bark beetles; and (c) O. piceae, Ophiostoma sp. 2 and Graphilbum sp. 2 with the fir-infesting bark beetles. The differences in fungal associates among the bark beetle species occurring on P. abies, L. decidua and A. alba could be linked to the different habitats that these beetles occupy.     

Factors affecting the spatio-temporal dispersion of Ips typographus (L.) in Bavarian Forest National Park: A long-term quantitative landscape-level analysis

The relationship between abiotic and biotic factors and the spread of the European spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (L.), was investigated at a landscape level over a model period of 18 years in the Bavarian Forest National Park in Germany. Deadwood areas - where I. typographus - caused tree mortality of 100% - were photographed annually using Color-infrared aerial photography and digitally recorded in vector form. Thirty-two static and dynamic habitat variables were quantitatively determined using spatial pattern analysis and geostatistics from 1990 to 2007 at the landscape scale. The importance of the presence of deadwood areas for thirty-two habitat variables for the occurrence of the bark beetle was quantitatively recorded using an Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA).It was shown over a long model period that the intensity of the bark beetle infestation went through different phases over the 18-year study period. No mono-causal correlations could be found between individual habitat factors and the spread of the bark beetle over the entire model period. On the one hand, these findings underline the complexity of the system, on the other hand, this could be interpreted as a possible explanation for conclusions drawn by previous studies that differ from each other.The importance of individual habitat variables and the combinations of variables varied to different extents within these phases. An examination of the cumulative importance of the habitat demonstrated that the biological structural variables such as the distance from the site of the previous year's infestation, the area and the perimeter of the infested areas from the previous year are of great importance for the incidence of the bark beetle, but not across all years. Of equal significance for assessing the size of the area and the distance of the deadwood areas from the sites of the previous year's infestation are the size of the areas, the perimeter of the deadwood areas and the proximity index. An evaluation of the stages of forest succession showed that cumulatively, a short distance between the infested areas and the forest areas with conifers in the early stages of growth was an equally important habitat factor from 1990 to 2007. By quantitatively recording habitat factors that are significant for the spread of the bark beetle it may help predict areas that are at risk and thus to develop suitable management strategies to minimise or stop the spread and the effect of the bark beetle.     

Effects of prescribed fire and season of burn on direct and indirect levels of tree mortality in Ponderosa and Jeffrey Pine Forests in California,USA

Many forests that historically experienced frequent low-intensity wildfires have undergone extensive alterations during the past century. Prescribed fire is now commonly used to restore these fire-adapted forest ecosystems. In this study, we examined the influence of prescribed burn season on levels of tree mortality attributed to prescribed fire effects (direct mortality) and bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) (indirect mortality) in ponderosa pine, Pinusponderosa Dougl. ex Laws., and Jeffrey pine, Pinusjeffreyi Grev. and Balf., forests in California, USA. A total of 816 trees (9.9% of all trees) died during this 3-yr study. Significantly higher levels of tree mortality (all sources) occurred following early and late season burns compared to the untreated control, but no significant difference was observed between burn treatments. The majority (461 trees) of tree deaths were attributed to direct mortality from prescribed burns and was strongly concentrated (391 trees) in the smallest diameter class (<20.2 cm diameter at breast height, dbh). For the largest trees (>50.7 cm dbh), significantly higher levels of tree mortality occurred on early season burns than the untreated control, most of which resulted from indirect mortality attributed to bark beetle attacks, specifically western pine beetle, Dendroctonus brevicomis LeConte, and mountain pine beetle, D. ponderosae Hopkins. Red turpentine beetle, D. valens LeConte, was the most common bark beetle species found colonizing trees, but tree mortality was not attributed to this species. A total of 355 trees (4.3% of all trees) were killed by bark beetles. Dendroctonus brevicomis (67 trees, 18.9%) and D. ponderosae (56 trees, 15.8%), were found colonizing P. ponderosa; and Jeffrey pine beetle, D. jeffreyi Hopkins, was found colonizing P. jeffreyi (seven trees, 2.0%). We also found pine engraver, Ips pini (Say) (137 trees, 38.6%), and, to a much lesser extent, Orthotomicus (=Ips) latidens (LeConte) (85 trees, 23.9%) and emarginate ips, I. emarginatus (LeConte) (3 trees, 0.8%) colonizing P. ponderosa and P. jeffreyi. Few meaningful differences in levels of indirect tree mortality attributed to bark beetle attack were observed between early and late season burns. The incidence of root and root collar pathogens (Leptographium and Sporothrix spp.), including species known to be vectored by bark beetles, was low (18% of trees sampled). The implications of these and other results to management of P. ponderosa and P. jeffreyi forests are discussed in detail.     

Parasitoids of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Ips typographus</Emphasis> (Col., Scolytidae), their frequency and composition in uncontrolled and controlled infested spruce forest in Bavaria

In the Bavarian Forest national park, the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus (Col., Scolytidae) has caused an uncontrolled mass propagation for more than 10 years. To find out if the population of parasitoid species, which can develop in an uncontrolled natural forest, is able to restrict spruce bark beetle gradation, we investigated the parasitoid fauna, their abundance and frequency in the central part of the park (no control), in the protection area and the enlargement area of the park and in a productive forest where the spruce bark beetle is strictly controlled. In 2002 and 2003, the species Coeloides bostrichorum, Roptrocerus xylophagorum/mirus, Rhopalicus tutela, Tomicobia seitneri and Dendrosoter eupterus were identified. C. bostrichorum was the most numerous species before Roptrocerus sp. and Rh. tutela. T. seitneri and D. eupterus were not as numerous. The order of frequency differed. Roptrocerus sp. was the most frequent parasitoid wasp in both years, and Rh. tutela and even T. seitneri were more frequent than C. bostrichorum. C. bostrichorum and Rh. tutela were found to be protandrous, whereas Roptrocerus sp. males and females had different sequences of appearance in different forest types. The average percentages of parasitism increased with time of exposure and was highest in the second generation. We found astonishingly high parasitization rates at sites where attacked trees are regularly removed.     

Impact of bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) disturbance on timber production and carbon sequestration in different management strategies under climate change

The likely environmental changes throughout the next century have the potential to strongly alter forest disturbance regimes which may heavily affect forest functions as well as forest management. Forest stands already poorly adapted to current environmental conditions, such as secondary Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forests outside their natural range, are expected to be particularly prone to such risks. By means of a simulation study, a secondary Norway spruce forest management unit in Austria was studied under conditions of climatic change with regard to effects of bark beetle disturbance on timber production and carbon sequestration over a time period of 100 years. The modified patch model PICUS v1.41, including a submodule of bark beetle-induced tree mortality, was employed to assess four alternative management strategies: (a) Norway spruce age-class forestry, (b) Norway spruce continuous cover forestry, (c) conversion to mixed species stands, and (d) no management. Two sets of simulations were investigated, one without the consideration of biotic disturbances, the other including possible bark beetle damages. Simulations were conducted for a de-trended baseline climate (1961–1990) as well as for two transient climate change scenarios featuring a distinct increase in temperature. The main objectives were to: (i) estimate the effects of bark beetle damage on timber production and carbon (C) sequestration under climate change; (ii) assess the effects of disregarding bark beetle disturbance in the analysis.Results indicated a strong increase in bark beetle damage under climate change scenarios (up to +219% in terms of timber volume losses) compared to the baseline climate scenario. Furthermore, distinct differences were revealed between the studied management strategies, pointing at considerably lower amounts of salvage in the conversion strategy. In terms of C storage, increased biotic disturbances under climate change reduced C storage in the actively managed strategies (up to −41.0 tC ha⁻¹) over the 100-year simulation period, whereas in the unmanaged control variant some scenarios even resulted in increased C sequestration due to a stand density effect.Comparing the simulation series with and without bark beetle disturbances the main findings were: (i) forest C storage was higher in all actively managed strategies under climate change, when biotic disturbances were disregarded (up to +31.6 tC ha⁻¹ over 100 years); and (ii) in the undisturbed, unmanaged variant C sequestration was lower compared to the simulations with bark beetle disturbance (up to −69.9 tC ha⁻¹ over 100 years). The study highlights the importance of including the full range of ecosystem-specific disturbances by isolating the effect of one important agent on timber production and C sequestration.     

Bark beetle (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) outbreak and system of IPM measures in an area affected by intensive forest decline connected with honey fungus (Armillaria sp.)

The character of a bark beetle outbreak, planning system, and implementation of IPM measures in a forest affected by intensive decline connected with honey fungus (Armillaria sp.) is described. It is possible to distinguish two levels of outbreak in the study area. The first level is characterized by spruce mortality connected with yellowing of spruce and presence of plant pathogens, mostly Armillaria sp. Forest stands have disperse infestations of bark beetles. Identification of infested trees and salvage cutting in time are problematic. In case of late processing of infested trees, the second level of outbreak could become manifest. The populations of bark beetle increase. Beetles could attack relatively healthy trees. The classical outbreak with forest edges and spot infestations starts. The identification of infested trees is easier. The application of pheromone trap barriers is effective. Thus, the second level of outbreak could be easily managed. The planning of IPM measures is concerned with localization of various pheromone trap systems in particular forest stands. It is based on field survey, data acquisition, estimation of swarming bark beetle population, and information of pheromone system effectiveness.