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Recent invasion and eradication of two members of the Euwallacea fornicatus species complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) from tropical greenhouses in Europe
AbstractAmbrosia beetles of the Euwallacea fornicatus species complex are emerging tree pests with a broad host range including important agricultural crops. Native to Southeast Asia, these species were introduced into various countries, where they cause considerable damage to many tree species. Here we report several outbreaks of E. fornicatus s.l. in Europe. The first individuals were found in 2017 in a palm house of a botanical garden in Poznan (Poland) whereas in 2020 an outbreak was detected in a tropical greenhouse in Merano (Italy). In 2021, two additional outbreaks were detected in two greenhouses in Germany, in Erfurt and Berlin. For both cases in Germany it was possible to trace back the invasion to a distributor of exotic plants in the Netherlands where several infested plants were detected. Molecular analyses show that individuals from Poland and Italy are genetically identical but belong to a different mitochondrial clade than individuals in Germany which are identical to most individuals of two greenhouses in the Netherlands. Moreover, in the two greenhouses in the Netherlands we found beetles that belong to another haplotype of E. fornicatus and two haplotypes of E. perbrevis, a species in the E. fornicatus complex, which has not been previously intercepted in Europe. Our study provides novel insights into the invasion history of E. fornicatus and the eradication measures in Europe. Considering the potential of introduction and establishment of Euwallacea ambrosia beetles, particular attention should be paid to monitor the presence of these pests in tropical greenhouses across Europe.
Biology and ecology of the Juniperus phoenicea – J. turbinata – J. canariensis complex I. Taxonomy, structure and distribution
The Juniperus phoenicea complex consists of three taxa: J. phoenicea sensu stricto (s.s.), J. turbinata, and J. canariensis. A review of the literature on the biology of these taxa was conducted, focusing on taxonomy with paleo-data, structure, and geographical distribution to present current knowledge on these topics. Information on ecology, disease, utilization, and conservation will be presented in forthcoming parts of this monograph. Each of the three species included in the J. phoenicea complex is a monoecious or sometimes dioecious, evergreen gymnosperm with scale leaves when adult. The morphological differences between them are minor and mainly quantitative. This enables separation of taxa using a combination of traits. However, genetic features such as isozymes and nuclear microsatellites allow adequate differentiation from each other. Juniperus phoenicea s.s. occurs in the western part of the Mediterranean region, J. turbinata is circum-Mediterranean, while J. canariensis exists only on the Canary Islands, except Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, and on the Madeira archipelago. All species contain volatile oils which are used as traditional remedies for many various human and animal diseases, primarily in African and Asiatic countries. The published information for these topics is reviewed.
The invasive ambrosia beetle, Gnathotrichus materiarius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in Central Europe
Abstract Gnathotrichus materiarius Fitch, 1858 is an invasive bark beetle that colonizes conifers and has spread widely in Europe. The beetle was introduced from North America to Western Europe, where it was first detected in France in 1933. In countries of Western and Northern Europe, the first detections were found at ports or airports, which probably served as sources of further spread. Gnathotrichus materiarius spread eastward to the Czech Republic and other countries in Central Europe from Germany and Poland and spread northward from Italy to Slovenia. The presence of wilting spruces, outbreaks dominated by Ips typographus Linnaeus, 1758, and the subsequent transport of timber have probably accelerated the spread of G. materiarius. It is possible that G. materiarius was imported with timber to Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Although G. materiarius has been present in Europe for almost 100 yr, and even though its host trees include Picea and Pinus spp., which are abundant in Central European forests, no significant damage caused by this beetle has been detected or reported. Gnathotrichus materiarius is a typical secondary pest in that it multiplies on decaying trees or trees already infested and killed by other bark beetle species. It has 2 generations a year in Central Europe. The beetles of G. materiarius occur the whole year, but the flight of adults starts in early May and the offspring beetles emerge in mid-July. The adults of F2 generation overwinter in wood. The best method for monitoring and detecting the presence of G. materiarius is the use of ethanol-baited traps.
Wnik świerkowiec [Orussus abietinus (Scopoli, 1793)] w Drawieńskim Parku Narodowym, parazytoid o rosnącym znaczeniu?
Jewel beetle wood wasp (Orussus abietinus) is a member of the parasitic wood wasps family (Orussidae), a hymenopteran insectsbelonging to the sawflies (Symphyta) sub-order. Until recently, it was the only species representing the family in Poland. In the last few years, two more species have been found – Orussus unicolor Latreille, 1812 and Pseudoryssus henschii (Mocsáry, 1910). Orussidae are the only family among herbivores sawflies whose representatives have a parasitic behavior and are parasitoids of other insects mainly those considered technical pests of wood, thus being natural enemies of pests they can be a limiting factor in the damage caused by cambio- and xylobionts. Orussus abietinus was reported rarely from Poland in the last century and only in the last two decades has itbecome decidedly more numerous. In addition, the recent finding of more two species of the family may indicate that the changingclimate in Poland may serve the members of the Orussidae, and it prefers warm habitats and sunny sites. This paper presents new localities of O. abietinus in Drawa National Park found in 2024 during studies of tree-associated entomofauna.
Insufficient Logging Intervals Impede Upper Soil Recovery in Temperate Beech Forests: Insights From Two Case‐Studies in Poland
ABSTRACT Little is known about how forest operations affect the biodiversity of soil microarthropods and the litter decomposition rate in temperate beech forests. This study aims to ascertain this information. Two study areas were selected, each consisting of a chronosequence of three cutting blocks: one that had not been harvested in the previous 20 years, one harvested in 2017 and one harvested in 2021. In 2022, we examined skid trails in the harvested parcels, categorised as disturbed soil and soil that has not been impacted by any machine passage, categorised as undisturbed soil. There were five experimental treatments in total within each study area, including the control. For every treatment, we evaluated upper soil compaction, organic matter content and soil microarthropod biodiversity, which was measured using the QBS‐ar index. To compare the variations in litter decomposition rates among treatments, we also set up a litter decomposition experiment based on the teabag method. Aside from the litter decomposition rate, which remained unaffected in all experimental treatments, we identified significant disturbances in the soil impacted by the machine's passage. Our results suggest that the recovery process for all variables studied was still incomplete after 5 years. Skid trail sites established 5 years ago continued to display values that differed from those in undisturbed and control areas. We recommend increasing the time interval between two consecutive logging operations in the same cutting block or implementing best management practices that can reduce the initial disturbance in the skid trails.
Biology and ecology of Juniperus phoenicea – J. turbinata – J. canariensis complex II. Genetics, physiology, ecology
This is a review of the literature on genetics, physiology, and ecology, which concerns Juniperus phoenicea, J. turbinata, and J. canariensis, forming together the complex J. phoenicea. Despite the numerous and varied studies, many gaps and deficiences have been identified in these fields. Further research is particularly needed on the genetic diversity and differentiation of all three species across their entire geographic ranges, with special attention on the easternmost localities of J. turbinata. Additional studies on the real photon flux density requirements, transpiration efficiency, water relations, nutrient demands, and mycorrhizal symbiosis for each species and across different locations, depending on the site conditions, would be highly valuable. The phytocoenological characteristics of J. turbinata and J. phoenicea, and their roles in particular phytocoenoses are fairly well recognized. However, data on J. canariensis and J. turbinata on the Arabian Peninsula should be expanded.
Notes on distribution and ecology of Phloeotribus caucasicus Reitter, 1891 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in Europe
Potential European Geographical Distribution of Gnathotrichus materiarius (Fitch, 1858) (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) under Current and Future Climate Conditions
Gnathotrichus materiarius (Fitch, 1858) is an alien ambrosia beetle from North America, that has been spreading across Europe since the 1930s. The species infests coniferous trees, excavating galleries in sapwood. However, to date very few studies have predicted changes in ambrosia beetle habitat suitability under changing climate conditions. To fill that gap in the current knowledge, we used the MaxEnt algorithm to estimate areas potentially suitable for this species in Europe, both under current climate conditions and those forecasted for the years 2050 and 2070. Our analyses showed areas where the species has not been reported, though the climatic conditions are suitable. Models for the forecasted conditions predicted an increase in suitable habitats. Due to the wide range of host trees, the species is likely to spread through the Balkans, the Black Sea and Caucasus region, Baltic countries, the Scandinavian Peninsula, and Ukraine. As a technical pest of coniferous sapwood, it can cause financial losses due to deterioration in quality of timber harvested in such regions. Our results will be helpful for the development of a climate-change-integrated management strategy to mitigate potential adverse effects.