Predatory beetles in cacao agroforestry systems in Brazilian Atlantic forest: a test of the natural enemy hypothesis

The natural enemy hypothesis predicts a positive correlation between plant species diversity and natural enemy control. This study aimed to evaluate the role of traditional cacao agroforests, known as “cabrucas,” on the conservation of the predatory beetle community compared to that of monodominant rubber agroforests. Predatory beetles were sampled in three habitats in Southeastern Bahia, Brazil: cabrucas and rubber agroforests and native Atlantic forests. In each habitat, 18 10 m² plots were established, in which canopy cover was measured and beetles were sampled with a modified Malaise/window trap. Land use intensification did not affect the composition of predatory beetles, with the presence of widely distributed species that are also capable of colonizing simpler environments such as the rubber agroforest. Canopy cover had a positive effect on generalist predator diversity and we observed a reduction in the abundance and species richness of generalist predators with increasing habitat homogenization. Despite the simplified structure of the habitat, the remaining tree diversity and canopy cover in cabrucas supported a community of generalist predators similar to the one found in the native forest. Species diversity of bark beetle predators was higher in cabrucas, which may be due to the high diversity of bark beetles and the favorable abiotic conditions, whereas the low abundance of prey in the native forest and severe abiotic conditions in the rubber agroforest probably determined the lower diversity of generalist predators in these habitats. Cabrucas play an important role in the conservation, supporting a community of predatory beetles more similar to the one found in native forest and that is more effective at controlling populations of herbivores than in homogeneous rubber agroforests.     

Dead wood in European beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest reserves

Data were analysed on the volume of dead wood in 86 beech forest reserves, covering most of the range of European beech forests. The mean volume was 130 m³/ha and the variation among reserves was high, ranging from almost nil to 550 m³/ha. The volume depended significantly on forest type, age since reserve establishment and volume of living wood. More dead wood was found in montane (rather than lowland/submontane) reserves, longer-established reserves (time since designation) and reserves with higher volumes of living wood.

On average, fallen dead wood contributed more to the total dead wood volume than standing dead wood. The percentage of dead wood that was standing was almost twice as high in montane than in lowland/submontane forest reserves (45% versus 25%). The volume of dead wood at selected sites changed considerably over time. The fluctuations were significantly higher in lowland/submontane than montane reserves, possibly connected with differences in the disturbance regimes and especially damage caused by windstorms. In NW Europe, the blow down of formerly managed, even-aged stands led to extraordinary high volumes of dead wood shortly after reserve establishment.

The implications for forest management and biodiversity conservation are discussed. An increase in dead wood volumes must be carried out in accordance with the local/regional forest type and disturbance regime. Thus, in order to fulfil the requirements of as many wood-depending organisms as possible, it is important to preserve not only larger amounts of dead wood, but also dead wood of different types and dimensions as well as securing a long-term continuity of dead wood.     

Effects of forest restoration treatments on the abundance of bark beetles in Norway spruce forests of southern Finland

Restoration of protected areas in boreal forests frequently includes creating substantial volumes of dead wood. While this benefits a wide range of dead wood dependent invertebrate species, some of these are regarded as forest pests. Therefore, the risk of elevated levels of tree mortality in surrounding commercial forests must be considered. In a large-scale field experiment in southern Finland, we studied the effects of restoration treatments on the abundance of bark beetles within and in the vicinity of restored areas, in particular focusing on Ips typographus and Pityogenes chalcographus. The treatments applied to managed Norway spruce forests were controlled burning and partial harvesting combined with retaining 5, 30 or 60 m³/ha of cut down wood. We found that the abundance of bark beetles increased by both burning and harvesting with down wood retention, being highest where burning and harvesting had been combined. The actual volume of down wood retention had no significant effect. The effect of burning on the number of bark beetles along host tree boles was negative which suggests that burnt spruces provided a less suitable resource for bark beetles than unburnt dead spruces. The abundance of bark beetles along host trees also decreased with increasing volume of down wood retention. The abundance of P. chalographus was slightly elevated up to 50 m outside restored areas but the abundance was very low compared to that within the areas. The abundance of I. typographus was extremely low outside restored areas. We conclude that restoration treatments increase the abundance of bark beetles via increased availability of resources, but that the effect of burning is likely to be counteracted by decreased resource quality. Thus, burning might be the “safest” way to produce large quantities of dead wood. Furthermore, the fact that only few beetles were collected in adjacent areas suggests that restored areas pose little threat of serving as refugia in which bark beetle populations increase in sufficient numbers to attack live trees in adjacent forests. However, restoration actions repeated at consecutive years within a small area might enable the populations to grow to outbreak levels.     

兴安落叶松树干去皮直径预测模型

利用兴安落叶松解析木数据,比较了树干去皮直径预测的3种类型模型:Grosenbaugh的比率方程式、回归模型和削度方程。Grosenbaugh的比率方程式有很大的灵活性,没有参数不需要模型拟合。总体评价和模型分段比较表明,回归模型有较小的预测误差,尤其是Cao and Pepper提出的含有带皮直径、树高、相对树高、胸径处的带皮直径和去皮直径变量的模型。由于削度模型不含有带皮直径变量,因此产生较大的去皮直径预测误差。不同类型的模型在森林经营过程中都有一定的适应性。     

Association of wildfire with tree health and numbers of pine bark beetles, reproduction weevils and their associates in Florida

Wildfires burned over 200,000 ha of forest lands in Florida from April to July 1998. This unique disturbance event provided a valuable opportunity to study the interactions of summer wildfires with the activity of pine feeding insects and their associates in the southeastern United States. We compared tree mortality with abundance of bark and ambrosia beetles, reproduction weevils and wood borers relative to fire severity. Over 27% of residual live trees in stands that experienced high fire severity died between October 1998 and May 1999. An additional 2–3% of trees that initially survived the fire died during the second year compared to <1% mortality in unburned stands. One year after the fire, more than 75% of the trees surviving in high fire severity stands had roots infected with one or more species of Leptographium and/or Graphium spp. and nearly 60% of the sampled roots were infected. No such fungi were recovered from roots of trees in unburned stands. Significantly, more root weevils, Hylobius pales and Pachylobius picovorus, were captured in unbaited pitfalls in the moderate and high fire severity stands than in the controls. Mean trap catches of Ips grandicollis, Dendroctonus terebrans and Hylastes salebrosus, three common bark beetles that feed on phloem tissue of pines, were lower in Lindgren traps in the fire-damaged areas than in the control stands. In contrast, catches of the ambrosia beetles, Xyleborus spp. and Monarthrum mali, were higher in burned stands than in control stands. The generalist predator, Temnochila virescens (Coleoptera: Trogositidae), showed a strong positive relationship between abundance and fire severity, while the flat bark beetle, Silvanus sp. (Coleoptera: Sylvanidae), exhibited the reverse trend. Our results show that most tree mortality occurred within 1 year of the fire. Ips or Dendroctonus bark beetle populations did not build up in dead and weakened trees and attack healthy trees in nearby areas. The prevalence of Leptographium spp. in roots may be a symptom of, or result in, weakened trees that may affect the trees’ susceptibility to bark beetles in the future.     

Nützliche und schädliche Insekten als Beute der Netzspinne Dictyna sp. (Arachnida,Dictynidae) auf Granatapfelbäumen in Ägypten

Dictyna sp. (Dictynidae) was the most common and abundant web-building spider on granati leaves. Rove beetles, lady beetles, ground beetles, ants and flower flies were recorded as beneficial insects ensnared in the webs. Rove beetles constituted 88% of the predatory complex. Among the destructive insect pests, aphids and whiteflies were entangled in the web-lines. Whiteflies represented the most common and abundant insectprey inside the webs. Furthermore, prey insects of order Homoptera occupied the 1st rank in abundance among other insect orders. Most of the prey were winged adults.     

Individual vulnerability factors of Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) to parasitism by two contrasting biotic agents: mistletoe (Viscum album L. ssp. abietis) and bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) during a decline process

? Context

In recent decades, there have been increasing reports of forest decline, especially in Mediterranean forest ecosystems. Decline in tree vitality is usually due to complex interactions between abiotic factors and biotic agents that attack weakened trees.

? Aims and methods

Estimating dendrometrical characteristics [basal area increment (BAI), age at DBH from tree ring counting, social status, height, and diameter], tree health status, and a competition index, we investigated the individual vulnerability of a French declining silver fir forest to both mistletoe (Viscum album L. ssp. abietis) and bark beetles (Pityophthorus pityographus Ratz., Pityokteines vorontzovi Jac., and Pityokteines spinidens Reitt.).

? Results

BAI was negatively correlated with both mistletoe infection (via mistletoe biomass) and bark beetle attack (number of insects per square meter), but there was evidence of divergence in tree choice between two groups of parasites. Mistletoe preferentially infected isolated and dominant trees that showed higher past growth rates than non-infected ones. Conversely, bark beetles mainly attacked defoliated and preferably declining trees with diameter (DBH) lower than 44.5 cm and slower past growth.

? Conclusion

While successive severe drought periods are thought to greatly weaken southern silver fir populations, mistletoe and bark beetles may contribute actively to their decline processes as inciting and contributing factors, respectively.     

Replanting conifer seedlings after pine weevil emigration in spring decreases feeding damage and seedling mortality

Replanting at appropriate times after harvesting a coniferous forest stand can help efforts to suppress seedling mortality caused by the pine weevil Hylobius abietis, but optimal times are uncertain. We hypothesized that planting in June rather than May in the third season after harvest would reduce feeding damage by the pine weevil and increase seedling survival rates in central Sweden, where new-generation weevils mainly fly away from their development sites in May/early June. An experimental test of the hypothesis in eight clear-cuts confirmed that planting in June instead of May reduced proportions of seedlings attacked by pine weevil, bark removal from seedlings’ stems, and proportions of seedlings killed by feeding damage. These differences between seedlings planted in May and June declined to some extent with time but still remained significant after two growing seasons. The total seedling mortality after two seasons did, however, not differ significantly between seedlings planted in May and June. Overall, 29% of all seedlings were killed by pine weevil, 4.0% by Hylastes bark beetles, and 2.3% by drought. The results indicate that replanting in spring during the third season after harvest can advantageously continue until mid-June with respect to damage and mortality.     

Determining the vulnerability of Mexican pine forests to bark beetles of the genus Dendroctonus Erichson (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Bark beetles of the genus Dendroctonus are natural inhabitants of forests; under particular conditions some species of this genus can cause large-scale tree mortality. However, only in recent decades has priority been given to the comprehensive study of these insects in México. México possesses high ecological diversity in Dendroctonus–Pinus associations. The geographic coexistence of 12 Dendroctonus species suggests greater vulnerability or threat of tree mortality relative to other areas. We use a biogeographic strategy to identify and rank the areas most vulnerable to tree mortality caused by bark beetles in México. We aim to define the areas that might experience high impact by these insects and also to provide a geographic database useful to forest resource management and conservation policies in México. Using collection records of bark beetles and pines, we develop a quantitative estimate of the threat of beetle infestation of forest areas based on factors including pine and beetle species density, host preference and level of mortality caused by beetle species. A quantitative estimate of forest area vulnerability, the Bark Beetle Threat Index (BBTI) was calculated. Despite the vast area of geographic coincidence of Pinus and Dendroctonus in México, the regions of highest bark beetle pressure are restricted to small zones within some mountain systems. The region that has been most affected by this insect group during the past hundred years is the Transverse Volcanic Belt, followed by the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre del Sur. Pine diversity is the major determining factor of BBTI at the regional level, while disturbances from extensive logging and ecosystem change are the key factors behind high BBTIs at the local level.     

Freilanduntersuchungen zur Nahrungsökologie der Spinnen: Beobachtungen aus der Region Zürich

Zusammenfassung Von 1974–1980 wurden in der Umgebung von Zürich (Schweiz) Beobachtungen über die Nahrungsökologie von Spinnen durchgeführt. Die Resultate lassen sich wie folgt zusammenfassen: Sämtliche untersuchten Spinnenarten fraßen ausschließlich an Evertebraten (Insecta, Arachnida, Isopoda, Myriapoda, Lumbricidae). Bei den meisten untersuchten Spinnen bestand die Nahrung zu>90% aus Insekten. Kleine Fluginsekten (Dipteren, Blattläuse) stellen für zahlreiche Spinnen der Vegetationsschicht die Hauptnahrungsquelle dar. Kleine, weichhäutige Insekten (Collembolen, Blattläuse, Dipteren) sind die Nahrungsbasis der dominanten Spinnen der Bodenoberfläche. Ein vom Durchschnitt abweichendes Beutespektrum besitzen die ArtenArgiope bruennichi (Prädator von Heuschrecken u. Bienen),Xysticus cristatus (epigäisch: Prädator von Ameisen u. Spinnen),Achaearanea riparia (Prädator von Amesien u. Käfern),Coelotes terrestris (Prädator von Käfern),Pholcus phalangioides (Prädator von Asseln, Spinnen, Opilioniden etc.). Die untersuchten Spinnenarten weisen unterschiedlich breite Nahrungsspektren auf. So ist beispielsweise das Nahrungsspektrum bei den Trichterspinnen der GattungAgelena weit aufgefächert (polyphag). Im Vergleich dazu hat die TrichterspinneC. terrestris ein enges Beutespektrum (oligophag). Während bei den meisten Spinnenarten die Beutegröße der Räubergröße angepaßt ist (Beutegröße Räubergröße), erlegen einige Spinnenarten (v. a. Familien Thomisidae und Theridiidae) gelegentlich Beutetiere, die größer als sie selber sind. Die Spinnen sind überwiegend Sekundärkonsumenten innerhalb von Herbivoren-Nahrungsketten. Die auf Waldböden lebenden Wolfspinnen greifen zusätzlich auch in Detritus-Nahrungsketten ein. In Flußuferbiotopen ernähren sich Skorpionsfliegen (GattungPanorpa) häufig von Beutetieren in Spinnennetzen (Nahrungsdiebstahl).

---

Field studies on the feeding ecology of spiders: Observations in the region of Zurich (Switzerland)

The results of studies on the feeding ecology of spiders from 1974–1980 can be summed up as follows: All species of spiders examined fed exclusively on evertebrates (Insecta, Arachnida, Isopoda, Myriapoda, Lumbricidae). In most cases, more than 90% of the food consisted of insects.Numerous spiders living in the vegetation stratum feed mainly on small flying insects, such as Diptera and aphids. The same is true for the dominant spiders living on the surface of the soil, though their prey spectrum is supplemented by Collembola and apterous aphids. Thus in the average prey spectrum of spiders small insects with a soft cuticle dominate. Exceptions are found withArgiope bruennichi, a predator of grasshoppers and bees,Agelena spp. feeding mainly on relatively large insects,Xysticus cristatus, which, when hunting on the ground, preys on ants and spiders,Achaearanea riparia, preying on ants and beetles,Coelotes terrestris, a specialized predator of beetles, andPholcus phalangioides, preying on wood-lice, spiders, opilionides etc. The prey spectra of the spider species examined vary considerably in breadth. So the food spectrum of the funnel-web spiders of the polyphagous genusAgelena is large compared to that of the oligophagousC. terrestris. Whereas in most spider species the size of their prey is relatively small or only reaches the size of the predator (size of prey size of predator), some species, mainly of Thomisidae and Theridiidae, prey at times upon prey larger than they are.Spiders are secondary consumers belonging predominantly to herbivor food chains. Wolf spiders living on forest grounds intervene also in detritus food chains. Scorpionflies (genusPanorpa) often feed on prey animals in spider webs (food robbery).

---

---

Ausgeführt mit Unterstützung durch den Schweizerischen Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung.     

正确把握森林生态建设的发展方向

我国人均森林面积很少，森林质量很低。一定要紧密结合实际，正确把握森林生态建设的发展方向，紧紧抓住丰产林培育、森林资源储备和自然保护区建设3项工作重点，尽最大努力缩小与世界平均水平的差距。     

Colonisation of native and exotic conifers by indigenous bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) in France

Planting exotic conifers offers indigenous forest insects an opportunity to extend their host range and eventually to become significant pests. Knowing the ecological and evolutionary modalities driving the colonisation of exotic tree species by indigenous insects is thus of primary importance. We compared the bark beetle communities (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) associated with both native and introduced conifers in France. The aim of our study was to estimate the influence of both host- and insect-related factors on the beetles’ likelihood to shift onto new hosts. We considered the influence of host origin (i.e. native vs. exotic), host tree species identity, tree bark thickness and tree taxonomic proximity, as well as insects’ host specificity. A field inventory using trap trees was carried out in two regions in France (Limousin and Jura) during two consecutive years (2006 and 2007) on three European native conifer species [Norway spruce (Picea abies); Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and European Silver-fir (Abies alba)] and five North American [Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis); Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus); Grand fir (Abies grandis); Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)]. A total of 18 indigenous and 2 exotic bark beetle species were collected. All exotic conifer species were colonised by indigenous bark beetle species and no significant difference was observed of the cumulated species richness of the latter between native and exotic tree species (13 vs. 14, P < 0.05). The ability of indigenous bark beetles to shift onto exotic conifers appeared to strongly depend on host species (significantly structuring bark beetle assemblages), the presence of phylogenetically related native conifer species and that of similar resources, in combination with insect host specificity. Host tree species status (native or exotic) also seemed to be involved, but its effect did not seem as essential as that of the previous factors. These findings are discussed in terms of adaptation, plasticity and practical aspects of forest management.     

Estimating risks for spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus (L.)) damage using pheromone‐baited traps and trees

The risk for damage associated with spruce bark beetle attacks on living trees was estimated in 12 forest districts in the Nordic countries during three years. Pheromone‐baited traps and trees were used. Five groups of three traps were deployed annually on fresh spruce clear‐fellings in each district. The mean catches within districts and years ranged from 950 to 46000 beetles per trap group. The standard error averaged 15 % of the mean catch. One tree was baited annually at each of five other sites in each district. The mean number of trees colonized by Ips typographus in each district and year ranged from 0 to 5 per site. The standard error was high, averaging 44% of the mean. Inventories of tree mortality within the districts yielded values ranging from 0 to 150 killed trees per km of spruce forest edge. There was a strong linear correlation between mean catches in traps and log‐transformed tree mortality (r=0.82). The correlation between colonization success at tree‐baiting sites and tree mortality was weaker (r=0.59), owing to one deviant observation. The results indicate that pheromone traps and baited trees may be used to assess the risk for damage caused by Ips typographus.     

Die Wirkungsbreite des Ausstoβreflexes bei Borkenkäfernreflexes bei Borkenkäfern

Summary The thrust out-reflex of the back beetles is useful to the breeding galleries of bore-meal and other substances. The beetles also avert with this reflex other insects, who try to invade the breeding galleries. Then the bark beetle thrust out its abdomen and often that means the ruin of the beetle. The enemy — f. i.Thanasimus formicarius L. — has the opportunity to kill the bark beetle when he reaches its abdomen.     

Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with bark beetles onAbies veitchii in wave-regenerated forests

Relationships between tree mortality and bark beetle infestation onAbies veitchii at the wave-regenerated forest in Mt. Asahi, Okuchichibu area were investigated. Most of the firs with green needles and newly developed current year’s shoots in the dieback zone were heavily infested by bark beetles before the death of the trees. After heavy infestation of beetles, about half of the infested firs died within the year, and the other half died in the next year. When the species composition of bark beetles and associated ophiostomatoid fungi were investigated in Mt. Asahi and also at a typical wave-regenerated forest in Mt. Shimagare, Yatsugatake area,Cryphalus montanus andC. piceae were dominant beetle species for Mt. Asahi and Mt. Shimagare, respectively.Ophiostoma subalpinum andO. europhioides were dominant fungal species at both wave-generated forests. BecauseO. subalpinum was detected more frequently from deeper areas of sapwood thanO. europhioides, it was suggested that the fungal species may accelerate the death of stressed firs in wave-regenerated forests. Contribution No. 169, Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba.     

Integrated pest control in forest management — Combined use of pheromones and insecticides for attracting and killing the Bark Beetle Ips typographus I. Studies with 32P-labelled methamidophos in the ascending sap of spruce

In 1984–1986, ³²P-labelled methamidophos was used to investigate the translocation, distribution and breakdown of this systemic insecticide after penetration into the ascending sap of spruce (Picea abies Karst.), following bark treatment with an adhesive paste of 15% active ingredient. The β-radiation of ³²P permits a semi-quantitative measurement on the bark of standing trees as well as quantitative sample analysis and autoradiography. The following results are given: method of application and total ³²P in the ascending sap; distribution of ³²P in trunk cross-sections and in bark/needles; ³²P in the killed beetles corresponding to the toxic dose, separation of methamidophos and breakdown products; halflife of breakdown in vitro and in vivo; and environmental implications. From the xylem, methamidophos penetrates into the phloem, but no ³²P appears outside on the surface of the bark, so that only insects mining inside the bark are killed and no hazards for useful insects, birds and wildlife animals can arise. Traces of ³²P were measured in air and water, and no ³²P was found in the soil due to the translocation upwards only. The approximate oral toxicity of methamidophos to Ips typographus was estimated to be < 5 mg/kg and the half-life in spruce was 45 days (15°C), indicating a sufficient biological effectiveness over several months, preferably in areas of low average temperatures and in trees impaired by environmental pollution.     

Multiscale spatial variation of the bark beetle Ips sexdentatus damage in a pine plantation forest (Landes de Gascogne,Southwestern France)

Bark beetles are notorious pests of natural and planted forests causing extensive damage. These insects depend on dead or weakened trees but can switch to healthy trees during an outbreak as mass-attacks allow the beetle to overwhelm tree defences. Climatic events like windstorms are known to favour bark beetle outbreaks because they create a large number of breeding sites, i.e., weakened trees and for this reason, windthrown timber is generally preventively harvested and removed. In December 1999, the southwest of France was struck by a devastating windstorm that felled more that 27 million m³of timber. This event offered the opportunity to study large-scale spatial pattern of trees attacked by the bark beetle Ips sexdentatus and its relationship with the spatial location of pine logs that were temporally stored in piles along stand edges during the post-storm process of fallen tree removal. The study was undertaken in a pure maritime pine forest of 1300 ha in 2001 and 2002. We developed a landscape approach based on a GIS and a complete inventory of attacked trees. During this study more than 70% of the investigated stands had at least one tree attacked by I. sexdentatus  . Spatial aggregation prevailed in stands with n≥15$n\ge 15$ attacked trees. Patches of attacked trees were identified using a kernel estimation procedure coupled with randomization tests. Attacked trees formed patches of 500–700 m² on average which displayed a clumped spatial distribution. Log piles stemming from the sanitation removals were mainly distributed along the large access roads and showed an aggregated spatial pattern as well. The spatial relationship between patches of attacked trees and log pile storage areas was analyzed by means of the Ripley’s statistic that revealed a strong association at the scale of the studied forest. Our results indicated that bark beetle attacks were facilitated in the vicinity of areas where pine logs were stored. The spatial extent of this relationship was >1000 m. Similar results were obtained in 2001 and 2002 despite differences in the number and spatial distribution of attacked trees. The presence of a strong “facilitation effect” suggests that log piles should be removed quickly in order to prevent outbreaks of bark beetles.     

Breeding performance of the second generation in some bivoltine populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ips typographus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera Curculionidae) in the south-eastern Alps

The spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, is one of the most extensively studied European forest pests. Gaps exist in the knowledge about second generation breeding performance in bivoltine populations. In this study, the breeding performance of the second generation was evaluated in three bivoltine populations of I. typographus in the SE Alps. Length of the maternal galleries (from 40.5 to 44.8 mm), population growth rate (PGR; from 0.7 to 3.6), and emerged adults per m² (from 669 to 1,570 insects/m²) varied among populations and were negatively correlated with bark colonisation density. Pheromone traps set up in the three investigated forests differed in the number of trapped beetles, with mean captures ranging between 5,310 and 19,850 insects per trap. The populations giving the highest captures in the traps showed the lowest bark colonisation density (248 vs. 489 maternal galleries per m²) and the best breeding performance. The populations of parasitoids and predators corresponded to just 1–9 and 2–10% of the emerging I. typographus adults, respectively, and phloem temperature never reached thresholds lethal to I. typographus. Interspecific competition was negligible, whereas intraspecific competition was found to be the main factor affecting the breeding performance of the second generation, although with different intensity according to the colonisation density. It is hypothesised that competition with the first generation and spring precipitation influence the number of suitable hosts available to the second generation.     

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.     

害虫对森林碳汇的影响及其机理

森林是陆地生态系统中最主要的固碳者。但森林常受到各种干扰, 使其固碳能力下降, 甚至变成碳源。文中主要介绍了叶部害虫、干部害虫和根部害虫干扰对森林碳汇的影响及其机理方面的研究进展。森林昆虫种类繁多, 危害方式及机理也各不相同。叶部害虫通过食叶或吸取汁液破坏叶绿素直接影响光合作用。研究表明, 与光合作用相关基因的表达下调或上调, 光合作用减弱或增强, 目前尚无一致的结论。在林分水平上, 失叶通常导致碳贮量下降。小蠹虫等蛀干害虫危害致树木死亡, 将森林由碳库变成碳源。根部害虫不但使根生物量下降, 还会影响植物光合作用, 但机理尚不清楚。害虫暴发后改变了土壤理化性质, 但在一定时间范围内对土壤呼吸并无显著影响, 其机理尚待揭示。