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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.
Ground Beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of the Karkonosze National Park - current state of knowledge and needs for further research
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.
Notes on distribution and ecology of Phloeotribus caucasicus Reitter, 1891 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in Europe
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.
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.