Change of Abundance of Arthropods in Pine Forests Caused by Aerial Insecticide Spray

Abstract

As pine wilt disease (PWD) spread rapidly throughout the Republic of Korea, pine stands were subjected to insecticide spraying that was gradually increased, which raised concerns regarding the negative impact of insecticides sprayed on nontarget organisms of pine forests. This study aims to estimate the changes in the abundance of arthropods caused by long-term insecticide spraying common in PWD-infected forests. Four pine stands were selected as sprayed and unsprayed sites in two locations in the southern regions of Busan and Gyongnam-do, showing the peaks of PWD epidemics. Beatings, sweepings, and pitfall trappings were used for collecting arthropods at the crown, undergrowth, and ground for 4 years, starting in May 2001. Long-term effects caused by yearly repeated insecticide treatments were not found to be related to changes in the abundance of arthropods, but short-term impacts within a year showed different influences according to habitats and functional groups.

Management of pine wilt disease in Korea through preventative silvicultural control

“…Aerial pesticide spraying began in 1989 following the first PWD detection. Fenitrothion, a broad-spectrum organophosphate (EXTONET, 2004), was the main agent in the sprays (Kwon, 2008). Because of fenitrothion damage on bee farms and other negative environmental impacts, it was replaced with thiacloprid in 2006.…”

“…In 2009, pine forests covering 15,000 ha were subjected to aerial spraying (Korea Forest Service, 2009), although the area of PWD infected forests in that year was estimated to be only 5633 ha (Korea Forest Service, unpublished). Information on aerial spraying is presented by Kwon et al (2005b) and Kwon (2008).…”

Prediction of abundance of arthropods according to climate change scenario RCP 4.5 and 8.5 in South Korea

“…Arthropods are often used as bio-indicators to monitor various environmental changes. In the case of arthropods, studies conducted at higher taxonomic levels (family or order) are often used to assess biodiversity and identify the influences of various environmental disturbances such as invasive species, aerial pesticide spraying, forest fire, afforestation, and thinning (Cole et al 1992;Goldsbrough and Shine 2003;Kwon 2008;Kwon et al 2013b: Warren et al 1987Yi and Moldenke 2005). In particular, Kwon et al (2013b) demonstrated that the analysis at high taxonomic levels showed more robust results for changes in the ecosystem compared with that at low taxonomic levels.…”

Aerially applied methylcyclohexenone-releasing flakes protect Pseudotsuga menziesii stands from attack by Dendroctonus pseudotsugae

“…Insecticide applications are likewise frequently ruled out because of adverse effects on nontarget organisms (e.g. Loch, 2005;Kreutzweiser et al, 2008;Kwon, 2008). Treatments such as trap-out, trap trees, and bark peeling (Laidlaw et al, 2003) are promising for small, high-value stands, but are labor-intensive and are thus unlikely to be used over large areas.…”