Mites Associated with the European Spruce Bark Beetle Ips typographus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Europe, with New Evidence for the Fauna of Serbia

Abstract

Various biotic and abiotic factors are the cause of the decline of coniferous forests throughout Europe. Trees weakened by unfavorable weather conditions create an ideal environment for a possible outbreak of bark beetles. The damage caused by bark beetles costs billions of dollars worldwide every year. Extreme climate events are responsible for the enormous forest losses in Tara National Park in the last ten years, leading to a massive bark beetle infestation. The understanding of the diversity and role of mites as biological control agents is still insufficient. In this study, we summarize the current knowledge on the diversity of mites associated with Ips typographus L. in Europe and provide information on the diversity of these mites in Serbia. Paraleius leontonychus, Uroobovella ipidis, Dendrolaelaps quadrisetus, Histiostoma piceae, and Trichouropoda polytricha were detected for the first time in Serbia. Moreover, the occurrence of Paraleius leontonychus represents the southernmost occurrence of this species.

Phoretic mite assemblage of the pinyon pine beetle, Ips confusus (Curculionidae: Scolytinae), in Arizona

“…The number of phoretic species found on the pinyon pine engraver, Ips confusus, in this study is typical for the number of beetles observed compared to other bark beetle species (Moser et al 2005, Pernek et al 2008, Milosavljević et al 2022. However the abundance of phoretic mites per beetle and percent beetles with mites was higher than most studies (Moser 1976, Pernek et al 2008, Cilbircioğlu et al 2021.…”

“…Dendrolaelaps quadrisetosimilis was found underneath elytra, which may provide protection from predators and mechanical removal during beetle tunneling and flight. Dendrolaelaps and Proctolaelaps lack specialized structures for phoretic dispersal, which may be why many Proctolaelaps were found in the gel capsule and Dendrolaelaps under the elytra (Knee et al 2012, Milosavljević et al 2022. Ereynetes propescutulis were found on various locations on the beetle and in the gel capsule, which may be due to a lack of specialized adaptations for phoresy in this species (Khaustov et al 2018).…”

“…Bark beetle mites have been surveyed worldwide (e.g., Takov et al 2009, Hodgkin et al 2010, Čejka and Holuša 2014, Khaustov et al 2018, Milosavljević et al 2022); however, despite the ubiquity of these mites our understanding of the mites associated with the pinyon pine engraver is limited (e.g. Boss 1970).…”