Article
Entomology
Davide Rassati, Matteo Marchioro, Leah Flaherty, Riccardo Poloni, Sara Edwards, Massimo Faccoli, Jon Sweeney
Summary: Longhorn beetles are significant invasive forest insects and widely studied in terms of chemical ecology. Research shows that the response to pheromone components is mostly species-specific, but in Italy, multiple species can be caught simultaneously with the combination of pheromones. The study provides insight into longhorn beetle chemical ecology and supports the role of pheromones in invasive success.
Article
Entomology
Denis A. Demidko, Natalia N. Demidko, Pavel V. Mikhaylov, Svetlana M. Sultson
Summary: Biological invasions by bark beetles and borers pose a significant threat to ecosystems, with species utilizing four main invasion strategies: inbred, polyphagous, intermediate, and aggressive. These invaders exhibit traits like high fecundity, polyvoltinism, association with plant pathogens, and long-range or aggregation pheromones, contributing to their success in invaded areas and potential harm to native plant species.
Article
Entomology
Yi-Jie Tong, Hai-Dong Yang, Josh Jenkins Shaw, Xing-Ke Yang, Ming Bai
Summary: Studies have shown a positive correlation between species richness and morphological diversity in most organisms at the local community scale, but this relationship is not always consistent due to diverse niches and the organism's status in an ecosystem. To further investigate this contradiction, global taxon sampling, new morphological approaches, and consideration of more taxonomic categories beyond the species level can be possible methods. Our study proposed a new paradigm for higher taxa biodiversity analysis, revealing a positive correlation between morphological diversity and genus richness, with genus richness showing a higher correlation than species richness.
Article
Forestry
Marcella A. Windmuller-Campione, Justin DeRose, James N. Long
Summary: Bark beetle outbreaks in western North America cause significant tree mortality, with factors such as temperature and forest community structure playing important roles. Research shows that the majority of forests in the Interior West and Colorado have moderate to high susceptibility to bark beetles.
Article
Microbiology
Xiuyu Zhang, You Li, Hongli Si, Guoyan Zhao, Miroslav Kolarik, Jiri Hulcr, Xiaoqian Jiang, Meixue Dai, Runlei Chang
Summary: This study systematically investigated the Geosmithia species in China and identified a total of 12 species, including three previously described species and nine new species. This study made an important contribution to filling in the gaps in our understanding of global Geosmithia species diversity.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ernesto Azzurro, Sonia Smeraldo, Manuela D'Amen
Summary: With over a thousand introduced species, the Mediterranean is the most heavily invaded marine region in the world. The study reconstructed the invasion and dynamics of exotic fish species, calculated introduction and spread rates, and investigated time correlates since introduction using a comprehensive dataset of georeferenced observations. The findings revealed an exponential increase in the arrival rate of introduced species and highlighted temporal and geographical patterns in the invasion process.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Catherine H. Bowler, Lauren G. Shoemaker, Christopher Weiss-Lehman, Isaac R. Towers, Margaret M. Mayfield
Summary: Species interactions between exotic and native species play a crucial role in determining the success of biological invasions and the influence of exotic species in invaded communities. This study highlights the positive interactions between exotic and native species, which are more common than originally thought. However, the study also reveals that within-neighborhood heterogeneity can limit the population growth of both native and exotic species, regulating the positive effects of invaders.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fang Luo, Farkhanda Bibi, Terd Disayathanoowat, Tial C. Ling
Summary: This study explores the differences in host specificity of the wood-boring longhorn beetles in tropical and subtropical forests and finds that the alpha diversity of beetles in tropical forests is significantly higher than that in subtropical forests, and the relationship between plants and beetles is closer in tropical areas. The results suggest that the wood-boring longhorn beetles exhibit higher degrees of niche conservatism and host-specificity in tropical forests, which may explain the higher diversity of these beetles in tropical forests.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Tomas Fiala, Petr Pyszko, Jaroslav Holusa
Summary: Phloeosinus aubei is an invasive insect in Central Europe, spreading northward due to climate change. It has the potential to become a pest for mature juniper trees in protected areas and various trees in nurseries and urban environments. Experiments showed that juniper branches deployed with ethanol were the most effective lure for attracting P. aubei beetles.
ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Michael Howe, Kenneth F. Raffa, Brian H. Aukema, Claudio Gratton, Allan L. Carroll
Summary: This study found that as the population size of bark beetles increases, they rely less on stressed trees and begin to attack larger trees with thicker phloem and higher growth rates, which can support higher offspring production. Additionally, the spatial configuration of attacked trees shifts from random to aggregated. These results demonstrate the mechanisms of population transition from endemic to irruptive phases.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Henry J. J. de la Cruz, Cristian Salgado-Luarte, Gisela C. C. Stotz, Ernesto Gianoli
Summary: The study found that M. crystallinum indirectly facilitated the growth of M. nodiflorum by increasing soil salinity, which was due to the suppression of salt-sensitive plants by M. crystallinum. This indirect facilitation may lead to biodiversity loss.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Fabielle M. Bando, Bruno R. S. Figueiredo, Dieison A. Moi, Sidinei M. Thomaz, Thaisa S. Michelan, Jorge Garcia-Giron, Jani Heino, Janne Alahuhta, Gustavo Q. Romero, Roger P. Mormul
Summary: A growing body of evidence indicates that biological invasions are causing changes in the composition of species in communities over space and time. Previous studies conducted at small scales and short durations may have underestimated the impact of exotic species on native communities.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tomas Fiala, Jaroslav Holusa, Adam Vele
Summary: Exotic coniferous trees in spa towns and parks in western Bohemia are increasingly being attacked by outbreak populations of native bark beetles. A total of 19 native bark beetle species were found infesting more than 10% of exotic tree species, including several new hosts. Non-native bark beetles, including a species that transmits cypress canker disease, were also identified. Infestations were greater in spa towns compared to adjacent forests.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Article
Entomology
David T. Williams, Tom Cull, Jack Forster
Summary: The study investigated the response of bark beetle populations in Sitka spruce forests in the U.K. to a warming climate, showing higher abundance and earlier emergence times of certain bark beetle species at lower elevations. Under projected future climate warming scenarios, monoculture Sitka spruce stands at low elevations may be more vulnerable to significant outbreak events from existing or invasive bark beetle species, suggesting the establishment of more resilient forests through diversifying the species composition and structure of Sitka spruce stands.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Giuliette B. Mano, Aline Lopes, Maria Teresa F. Piedade
Summary: Several anthropic disturbances in the Amazon, such as deforestation, fires, and the construction of roads and dams, have led to an increase in extreme events and the invasion of invasive grasses. This study aimed to determine the current and future distribution patterns of native ecosystem engineer species and invasive species in the Amazon Basin. The results showed a decrease in suitable areas for native species and an increase in suitable areas for invasive grasses, raising concerns about the exclusion of native species and their ecological roles.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Giacomo Cavaletto, Christopher M. Ranger, Michael E. Reding, Lucio Montecchio, Davide Rassati
Summary: Ethanol emitted by stressed trees is an important cue for ambrosia beetles to locate suitable hosts. It promotes the growth of ambrosia beetles' nutritional fungal symbionts and suppresses antagonistic fungi. The optimal concentration of ethanol for colonization and offspring production varies among ambrosia beetle species.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Andrea Battisti, Jose A. Hodar, Rodolfo Hernandez, Stig Larsson
Summary: This study examines the relationship between population density and egg mass aggregation in two species of pine processionary moths. The results show that egg mass aggregation deviates from uniform distribution at high population density, which may have significant implications for insect outbreaks.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Davide Scaccini, Davide Bramuzzo, Cengiz Bostanci, Massimo Faccoli, Isabel Martinez-Sanudo, Alexey Matov, Alberto Zilli, Alberto Pozzebon
Summary: The Asian walnut moth (Garella musculana) was found for the first time in NE Italy in 2021, marking its first record in the country and Western Europe. The species was identified based on morphology and genetic analysis, but further research is needed to clarify its classification due to similarities with other taxa. Resolving this issue is crucial for the identification and proper management of walnut moths.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Costanza Geppert, Alessio Bertolli, Filippo Prosser, Lorenzo Marini
Summary: Mountain ecosystems are undergoing significant changes in plant distribution due to human activities. The range dynamics of mountain plants show large variability, with some species expanding, shifting, or shrinking their range. A study of 1,479 species in the European Alps over the past 30 years found that red-listed species experienced a rapid range contraction and were unable to track climate warming. In contrast, aliens quickly expanded upslope while keeping their rear margins almost still. The findings suggest that conservation efforts should prioritize low-elevation areas where red-listed natives and aliens coexist.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Livio Mola, Enrico Ruzzier, Claudio Deiaco, Mauro Agosti, Massimo Faccoli, Jan Matejicek, Laura Farina, Luciano Diotti, Francesca Della Rocca
Summary: The Po Plain in Northern Italy is highly urbanized, but still contains fragmented oak-hornbeam forests, which serve as important refuges for both sedentary and migratory species. This paper presents a preliminary list of beetle species inhabiting the Monte Netto Regional Park, identified through 10 years of field surveys and various sampling techniques. A total of 834 species were identified, including non-native species and endangered species on the Red List. This survey highlights the conservation value of Monte Netto and the naturalness of its remaining forest patches.
Article
Forestry
Aurora Bozzini, Saverio Francini, Gherardo Chirici, Andrea Battisti, Massimo Faccoli
Summary: Extreme weather events are causing an increase in forest-pest outbreaks, with a windthrow event in 2018 in the southern Italian Alps causing a shift in populations of the European spruce bark beetle. This study used remote sensing techniques and a random forest model to detect outbreak spots in the southeast Alps. The model achieved an overall accuracy of 72% in 2022 and 58% in 2021, demonstrating the potential to locate even small outbreak areas or areas with mixed healthy and infested trees.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Enrico Ruzzier, Giacomo Ortis, Davide Vallotto, Massimo Faccoli, Isabel Martinez-Sanudo, Matteo Marchioro
Summary: Xyleborini is the largest tribe of Scolytinae with about 1300 species worldwide, all of which are primarily xylomycetophagous and develop on symbiotic fungi in plant woody tissues. The wood-boring action of Xyleborini, combined with the inoculation of symbiotic fungi, can cause host plant dieback, wood damage, and death, making many Xyleborini major pests on various trees. Importation of host plants is often a primary pathway for introducing and establishing Xyleborini species in non-native environments, and efforts are being made to manage their invasive potential. However, a lack of data on Xyleborini host plants hinders the development of effective detection and monitoring strategies and risk assessment for plant pests and invasive species. This study provides updated host records and economic categorization for the 1293 known Xyleborini species worldwide.
Article
Entomology
Julianne Farrell, Myron P. Zalucki, Andrea Battisti
Summary: Host specificity of an Australian processionary moth species was studied using reciprocal transplant experiments. The moth, Ochrogaster lunifer, has genetically distinct nesting forms associated with acacias and eucalypts. The study confirmed genetic separation and the importance of host specialization in the speciation process.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Claude Bragard, Paula Baptista, Elisavet Chatzivassiliou, Francesco Di Serio, Josep Anton Jaques Miret, Annemarie Fejer Justesen, Alan MacLeod, Christer Sven Magnusson, Panagiotis Milonas, Juan A. Navas-Cortes, Stephen Parnell, Roel Potting, Philippe Lucien Reignault, Emilio Stefani, Hans-Hermann Thulke, Wopke Van der Werf, Antonio Vicent Civera, Jonathan Yuen, Lucia Zappala, Andrea Battisti, Hugo Mas, Massimo Faccoli, Ciro Gardi, Alzbeta Mikulova, Olaf Mosbach-Schulz, Giuseppe Stancanelli, Fabio Stergulc, Paolo Gonthier
Summary: The European Commission has proposed the use of sulfuryl fluoride on ash log shipments for phytosanitary certification. The Panel on Plant Health conducted a quantitative assessment on the likelihood of pest freedom from A. planipennis for two different commodities fumigated with sulfuryl fluoride. They concluded that the likelihood of pest freedom is lower for ash logs with bark compared to debarked ash logs.
Article
Entomology
Luca Deganutti, Filippo Biscontin, Iris Bernardinelli, Massimo Faccoli
Summary: This study investigated the large-scale use of a semiochemical push-and-pull strategy to protect vulnerable Norway spruce edge trees from the European spruce bark beetle after a windthrow disturbance. The results showed that the push-and-pull technique was effective in reducing damage to forest edges in high-risk areas. However, its effectiveness was limited in clear-cut areas, where it did not significantly reduce the number of infested trees along the forest edge.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elena Gazzea, Peter Batary, Lorenzo Marini
Summary: Animal pollination is crucial for diverse and balanced diets, improving the commercial attributes and shelf life of fruits and vegetables. However, its impact on nutritional value is limited. The meta-analysis shows that pollination plays a significant role in maintaining food quality.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Chiara Rosace, Martina Cendoya, Giulia Mattion, Antonio Vicent, Andrea Battisti, Giacomo Cavaletto, Lorenzo Marini, Vittorio Rossi
Summary: World trade has led to an increased risk of introducing non-indigenous pests. However, the lack of historical data on pest introductions poses a challenge. By collecting and compiling data from various sources, a comprehensive dataset on pest introductions in the EU has been created, providing a basis for understanding the factors associated with the likelihood of pest introductions.
Article
Forestry
Davide Nardi, Aurora Bozzini, Giuseppe Morgante, Angelo Gaccione, Valerio Finozzi, Andrea Battisti
Summary: During pest outbreaks, mapping tools are crucial for accurate detection. Participatory projects can provide ground data with high accuracy in detecting early-stage infestations and small spots. However, satellite approaches are essential for estimating infestations due to spatial bias in ground data. This study shows how a participatory approach involving nonspecialized staff and a GIS-based app can provide complementary ground truth data to satellite data.
ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Juan Carlos Cambronero-Heinrichs, Andrea Battisti, Peter H. W. Biedermann, Giacomo Cavaletto, Victor Castro-Gutierrez, Lorenzo Favaro, Giacomo Santoiemma, Davide Rassati
Summary: Ambrosia beetles have abundant bacteria in their active galleries, which play a crucial role in providing nutrition and defense. This study supports the hypothesis of mutualistic interaction between Erwiniaceae bacteria and ambrosia beetles.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2023)