Biological Strategies of Invasive Bark Beetles and Borers Species

Abstract

The present study attempts to identify the biological characteristics of invasive (high-impact in the secondary area) bark beetles and borers species, contributing to their success in an invaded area. We selected 42 species based on the CABI website data on invasive species and information on the most studied regional faunas. Four groups of species with different invasion strategies were identified based on the cluster and factor analysis. The first one (inbred strategy) is characterized by flightless males, xylomycetophagy, low fecundity (~50 eggs), inbreeding, polyvoltinism, and polyphagy. Species with an aggressive strategy are poly- or monovoltine, feeds on a limited number of hosts, larval feeding on the inner bark, are often associated with phytopathogens, and produce aggregation pheromones. Representatives of the polyphagous strategy have a wide range of hosts, high fecundity (~150 eggs), larval feeding on wood, and their life cycle is at least a year long. For the intermediate strategy, the typical life cycle is from a year or less, medium fecundity, feed on inner bark tissues, mono- or oligophagy. Comparison with low-impact alien species showed that the most significant traits from the viewpoint of the potential danger of native plant species are high fecundity, polyvoltinism, presence of symbiotic plant pathogens, long-range or aggregation pheromones.

Regional anthropogenic disturbance and species-specific niche traits influence the invasiveness of European beetle species

“…In particular, as holometabolous insects, beetles may exhibit variation in the length of their immature stages. Shorter larval periods could potentially confer a competitive advantage to invasive beetles, as they would reach maturity and reproduce more quickly, enabling them to complete their life cycle faster and be less susceptible to environmental disturbances (Skarpaas and Økland, 2009;Kajita and Evans, 2010;Demidko et al, 2021). It should be noted that our results must be interpreted with caution, as estimations depend upon the environmental variables included (Strubbe and Matthysen, 2014;Liu et al, 2020); nevertheless, methodological artifacts are the same in the native and invaded areas.…”

Assessment and Optimization of the Insecticidal Properties of γ-Al2O3 Nanoparticles Derived from Mentha pulegium By-Products to Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Carob Beetle)

“…Extensive research has been conducted to investigate the invasion of trees by beetles from the Scolytinae family. On the other hand, some of the research has focused on understanding the mechanisms of attack, strategies for chemical control, methods of communication, and other entomological factors that influence the life cycle of these beetles [ 37 , 38 , 39 ]. In the field of nanotechnology, our study has concentrated on assessing and optimizing the insecticidal properties of the γ-Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles derived from the remains of Mentha pulegium .…”

A story of becoming a horticultural threat, cypress jewel beetle Lamprodila festiva (Coleoptera, Buprestidae): analytical approach of its European escalation based on bibliographical sources

“…The annual generation number of L. festiva varies according to its range. Consequently, semiand univoltine ecotypes have evolved, and their consistent development is interrupted by an overwintering larval stage (Evans et al 2007;Demidko et al 2021). This diapausing larva develops into a pupa and eventually an adult stage in early spring under the influence of daily temperatures above the biological threshold (Ruicănescu & Stoica 2019).…”