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Spruce Bark Beetle (spruce + bark_beetle)
Selected AbstractsEvidence for the importance of odour-perception in the parasitoid Rhopalicus tutela (Walker) (Hym., Pteromalidae)JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 6 2001E. M. Pettersson Possible host location mechanisms in the chalcid wasp Rhopalicus tutela (Walker) (Hym., Pteromalidae), a parasitoid of the eight-spined spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (L.) (Col., Scolytidae), were examined. This was carried out in order to repeat and complement former studies on parallel parasitoid,scolytid systems that had contradictory results. Morphological examinations of the parasitoid antennae were made using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Possible functions of the sensilla placodea (multiporous plate sensillum), and other sensilla present on the antennae, have been indicated. For the first time, the placoid sensilla in a pteromalid parasitoid have shown porous walls and numerous innervations, which are typical characteristics for chemoreceptors. Previously the placoid sensilla have been suggested to be an infrared receptor. In order to test the chemoreceptive ability of R. tutela females and males, a synthetic reference blend was analysed by combined gas chromatography and electroantennographic detector (GC-EAD). Their sensitivity to host-related volatiles (such as certain pheromone components and oxygenated monoterpenes) was significantly greater than that for host-tree-related compounds (monoterpene hydrocarbons). Employing an infrared thermo-scanner, the current study failed to detect ,hot spots' associated with susceptible hosts beneath the bark. Results from electrophysiology and electron microscopy revealed clear odour-perceptive functions of the parasitoid antennae. These results strongly support the major importance of volatiles in host location by the bark beetle parasitoid R. tutela. [source] Colonization of storm gaps by the spruce bark beetle: influence of gap and landscape characteristicsAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Leif Martin Schroeder 1After storm disturbances, there is a risk for degradation of the quality of fallen trees, and for subsequent tree mortality caused by the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Models assessing the risk for bark beetle colonization of different kinds of storm gaps would be a valuable tool for management decisions. 2The present study aimed to determine which gap and landscape characteristics are correlated with the probability of colonization of wind-felled Norway spruce trees by I. typographus. 3The study included 36 storm gaps, varying in size from three to 1168 wind-felled spruces, created by the storm Gudrun in southern Sweden in January 2005. 4In the first summer, on average, 5% of the wind-felled spruces were colonized by I. typographus. The percentage of colonized wind-felled trees per gap was negatively correlated with the total area of storm gaps within 2000 m in the surrounding forest landscape. 5In the second summer, the proportion of colonized trees increased to 50%. Both gap (mean diameter of wind-felled trees and basal area of living spruce trees) and landscape variables (amount of spruce forest) were significantly correlated with colonization percentage and explained almost 50% of the variation between gaps. 6There was no relationship between gap area and colonization percentage. This implies that landscapes with many large storm gaps, where logging resources will be most effectively used, should be salvaged first. [source] Escape in space from enemies: a comparison between stands with and without enhanced densities of the spruce bark beetleAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Leif Martin Schroeder Abstract 1,Populations of the spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (L.), are known to grow rapidly in storm-disturbed stands as a result of relaxation from intraspecific competition. In the present study, it was tested whether a second mechanism, escape in space from natural enemies, also contributes to the rapid population increase. 2,The experiment was conducted during the initiation phase of five local outbreaks of I. typographus triggered by a storm-disturbance in November 1995 in southern Sweden. 3,The impact of natural enemies on the ratio of increase (number of daughters per mother) of I. typographus was compared pairwise between disturbed stands with high numbers of storm-felled trees and undisturbed stands without wind-felled trees. 4,Enemy impact was assessed by comparing the ratio of increase in uncaged (exposed to enemies) and caged (protected from enemies) bolts colonized by I. typographus prior to being placed in the stands. The experiment was conducted in the second and third summers after the storm-felling. 5,Enemy impact was about twice as high in stands without wind-felled trees compared with in stands with wind-felled trees in the second summer whereas there was no significant difference between the stand types in the third summer. 6,The result demonstrates that spatial escape from enemies contributes to the rapid population growth of I. typographus after storm-disturbances. [source] Disturbance dynamics of old-growth Picea rubens forests of northern MaineJOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 5 2005Shawn Fraver Abstract Question: How have the spatial and temporal aspects of past disturbance shaped the current structure and composition of old-growth Picea rubens forests? Location: Northern Maine, USA. Methods: We established three 50 m × 50 m plots in old-growth Picea rubens forests and mapped the location of trees and saplings. We extracted increment cores from canopy trees, and recorded growth releases indicating past disturbance. By linking spatial data (tree positions) and temporal data (dated growth releases), we reconstructed the location and size of former canopy gaps back to 1920, and determined a more general disturbance chronology extending as far back as 1740. Results: We found no evidence of stand-replacing disturbances. The disturbance dynamic includes pulses of moderate-severity disturbances caused by wind storms and host-specific disturbance agents (spruce budworm, spruce bark beetle) interposed upon a background of scattered smaller canopy gaps. Consequently, rates of disturbance fluctuated considerably over time. Reconstructed canopy gaps were temporally and spatially scattered; during disturbance peaks, they were both larger and more numerous. Conclusions: Despite peaks in disturbance, several of which created relatively large gaps, this system has experienced no significant change in species composition. Instead, the shade-tolerant Picea rubens has maintained canopy dominance. The patch dynamics described here consist of dramatic structural, not compositional, changes to the forest. The persistence of Picea rubens is attributed to a combination of traits: (1) abundance of advance regeneration; (2) ability to endure suppression and respond favourably to release; and (3) longevity relative to ecologically similar species. [source] |