Forest Beetle Research Articles

Unmanned Ground Vehicle for Identifying Trees Infested with Bark Beetles

This research presents an unmanned ground vehicle for identifying infested trees by bark beetles in mountain forests. The ground vehicle uses sensors for autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance. The identification of infested trees is carried out by classifying the resin stains on the bark of unhealthy trees with a computer vision algorithm. This approach proposes tracking bark beetle spread in forest trees with image data of the infested trees considering resin sprouts as early indicators of the infestation in contrast to aerial monitoring, which only detects trees in advanced stages. Terrain autonomous vehicle direction is controlled by changing the velocities of left- and right-side wheels. A rotating LiDAR sensor is used to detect trees and avoid objects. The dynamic model of the vehicle is presented, and a control algorithm is proposed for path-following. Moreover, the stability of the system is proven using a Lyapunov function. In order to demonstrate the performance of the control and classification algorithms, experimental results from an outdoor forest environment are presented.

Morphometric variability of specimens in Ground Beetle (Carabidae) communities in agrarian landscape forests and protected areas

The change in the morphometric variable of ground beetles as well as in their volume (ellipsoidal biovol-ume) indicates the state of the biotope (unstable, stable), which is affected by anthropogenic activity such as forestry, agriculture and urbanisation. Between the years 2020 and 2022, we conducted research in flood-plain forests, which were located in agriculturally used land and in the important European territory of Du-najské Luhy Protected Landscape Area. Using the pitfall traps method, we recorded 1319 individuals be-longing to 29 species of ground beetles in six study areas representing two types of habitats (willow-poplar floodplain forest and regenerated poplar forest). We confirmed the largest average Ellipsoid Biovolume (EV) in the species Carabus coriaceus L. (2936 mm3), Carabus scheidleri Panzer (1427 mm3), Carabus vio-laceus L. (943 mm3), Carabus granulatus L. (366 mm3), Cychrus caraboides (L.) (336 mm3), Pterostichus niger (Schaller) (254 mm3), Harpalus rufipes (DeGeer) (123 mm3). The redundancy analysis confirmed the predominance of apterous and brachypterous species of ground beetles in forest stands in the Dunajské Luhy PLA (important European territory). These groups of Carabidae point to the ecological stability of bio-topes, because they inhabit habitats where they have optimum food. On the contrary, we confirmed the pre-dominance of macropterous species in forest biotopes in agrarian landscape conditions, which points to bi-otopes cyclically disturbed by anthropogenic activity. We recorded larger individuals in groups of apterous and brachypterous species in forest stands in the conditions of the Dunajské Luhy PLA. Larger macropter-ous individuals were recorded in forest stands in agrarian landscape conditions. In order to preserve forest habitats of European importance, it is necessary to know the ecological interactions between the ecosystem and ground beetles.

First record of Nicobium LeConte (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Anobiinae) from Baltic amber with the description of a new extinct species.

The first extinct Paleogene species of the Anobiinae genus Nicobium LeConte, 1861 is described based on an inclusion in Baltic amber. Two characteristic features distinguishing the extinct species (among other characters present in one combination or another in extant species) are sparse, inconspicuous elytral pubescence and rectangular, sharp posterior pronotal angles. The new species, Nicobium necrocrator sp. nov., is just the second described extinct representative of the genus. Its discovery adds to our knowledge of the diversity of deathwatch beetles in the amberiferous forests of the Eocene-and establishes an important reference point for future studies of the origin and distribution of these wood-boring beetles living millions of years ago.

Plants, fungi, and carabid beetles in temperate forests: both observed and dark diversity depend on habitat availability in space and time

ContextThe loss of ancient forests threatens many species. Effective nature conservation needs information on how forest availability in the surrounding landscape in space and time determines the diversity of multiple taxa.ObjectivesWe explored the relationship between forest availability at different spatiotemporal scales and the diversity of various groups: vascular plants (woody species, ground layer), epiphytes (bryophytes and lichens), fungi (ectomycorrhizal, arbuscular mycorrhizal, pathogenic, saprotrophic), and carabid beetles. Besides the observed diversity, we also estimated dark diversity, i.e. suitable but absent species. Dark diversity is theoretically a sensitive metric in detecting ecosystem conditions as it is typically relatively large and contains susceptible species.MethodsWe recorded the observed diversity by field sampling and soil DNA in 100 temperate ancient old-growth forest sites in southern Estonia; dark diversity was estimated for the same sites using species co-occurrence data. Forest availability estimates were obtained from four topographic maps (1900s-2010s) at the 0.5–5 km radius.ResultsThe biodiversity of forest specialists was higher at larger historical forest availability at the spatial scale of 2–5 km radius. The diversity of light-demanding forest ecotone taxa mainly had negative relationships with young forests on previous agricultural lands (at 0.5–2 km radius). Dark diversity models were often more strongly associated with forest availability than observed diversity models.ConclusionsDark diversity enhances our understanding of how current and historical forest availability affects local biodiversity. As young forests cannot provide suitable habitats for many forest-dwelling species, stable forest habitats must be preserved as source areas to enhance biodiversity.

Composition and diversity of ground beetles within wooded pastures and alternative land-use systems in Swiss Jura mountains

AbstractWooded pastures combine trees and pastures in a land-use system resulting from traditional silvopastoral practices. With their sparse tree cover, wooded pastures represent an ecotone between open area pastures and forests with potentially high species diversity, although this is poorly tested for animal groups especially insects. In this study, we aimed to characterise and compare species communities in terms of species composition and diversity indices, biomass and ecological traits of ground beetles in wooded pastures, forests and non-wooded pastures. Pitfall traps were set up in 29 study sites located in the Swiss Jura mountains. Ground beetle communities in wooded pastures largely encompass those in open pastures and forests, although some species are found only in forests or open areas. Wooded pastures and open pastures have an equivalent species diversity level, which is significantly higher than the one in forests. Ground beetle diversity is positively correlated with the surfaces of Biodiversity Promotion Areas within a 100 m radius. Areas with high tree cover (70–100%) favour brachypterous and hygrophilic species, whereas areas with reduced tree cover (0–20%) favour xerophilic and winged species. Ground beetles’ size and biomass increase with tree cover. Wooded pastures are an important ecotone, ensuring a gradual change of land-use systems between open areas and forests, where a wide range of species from both land-use systems are found. These semi-natural systems are important for the conservation of ground beetles.

Evidence for regional-scale declines in carabid beetles in old lowland beech forests following a period of severe drought

ContextEvidence for declines in insect populations is growing with climate change being one suspected driver. Forests, however, are still underrepresented in the relevant research. Recent droughts (2018–2020) have severely affected forests in Central Europe and have been linked to declines in carabid abundance, biomass as well as changes in species traits at the local scale.ObjectiveWe tested drought effects on forest carabids at regional scale. We additionally investigated whether variability in drought effects could be explained with the initial community composition and the local environmental context.MethodsWe used generalized linear mixed models to compare data from 1999 to 2001 and 2020 to 2022 across eleven old beech forest sites of high conservation interest in North-East Germany and investigated changes in carabid abundance, biomass, Hill numbers and selected species traits. We then tested additional community-related and environmental predictors to explain spatial variability in changes in biomass.ResultsWe found significant declines in biomass of 65% and in abundance of 51%. There were no significant changes in Hill numbers. We found consistent evidence that declines affected especially larger and less mobile species. Declines and changes in species traits also occurred in strictly protected old-growth beech forests. Among environmental predictors, landscape composition explained local variability in biomass declines best with stronger decline at forest sites with less forest area in their vicinity.ConclusionsOur findings reveal large-scale declines in forest carabids in the context of recent droughts and highlight the exceptional role of landscape composition in this regard. Future insect conservation strategies need to incorporate the landscape context and potential exposure to extreme weather.

Reading indigenous signs: The wisdom of nagari communities toward natural disaster in Pasaman Barat

This study examines local wisdom regarding natural disasters of communities in traditional villages (nagari) in Pasaman Barat, Indonesia, through indigenous signs of disaster and interpretations. We analyze these signs through indigenous history and knowledge and a three-way communications framework of disaster interpretation in Indonesia. We collected data by conducting in-depth interviews with eight traditional figures and distributing questionnaires to 94 local residents in Pasaman Barat impacted by the 2022 earthquake through descriptive analysis. Our findings revealed that communities in Pasaman Barat have traditionally preserved indigenous knowledge about natural disasters, including architectural practices, logical and spiritual symbols, and a wide range of social mores and taboos. The people of the area improvised some valuable skills, such as the use of sandi tiang (the baseboard of a stilt) and bamboo barricades. Rituals and taboos associated with disasters include the tolak bala (warding-off ritual) and the banda larangan (forbidden fish), and distinctive signs of disaster observed by the community including the sounds of jirek (sacred grave), the appearance of tiger and uyia-uyia (forest beetles), and rivers flowing downstream during rain. These customs, mostly shared with Minangkabau customs despite some differences, are influenced by religious tradition, especially Sufistic tradition. Communities in Pasaman Barat continue to teach their children about these traditions, even as they adapt to modern life. Despite a dearth of established, traditional knowledge in this area, this study contributes to the future of disaster mitigation management by emphasizing rational and practical considerations in the face of natural disasters.

Tree-Related Microhabitats and Multi-Taxon Biodiversity Quantification Exploiting ALS Data

The quantification of tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) and multi-taxon biodiversity is pivotal to the implementation of forest conservation policies, which are crucial under the current climate change scenarios. We assessed the capacity of Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data to quantify biodiversity indices related to both forest beetle and bird communities and TreMs, calculating the species richness and types of saproxylic and epixylic TreMs using the Shannon index. As biodiversity predictors, 240 ALS-derived metrics were calculated: 214 were point-cloud based, 14 were pixel-level from the canopy height model, and 12 were RGB spectral statistics. We used the random forests algorithm to predict species richness and the Shannon diversity index, using the field plot measures as dependent variables and the ALS-derived metrics as predictors for each taxon and TreMs type. The final models were used to produce wall-to-wall maps of biodiversity indices. The Shannon index produced the best performance for each group considered, with a mean difference of −6.7%. Likewise, the highest R2 was for the Shannon index (0.17, against 0.14 for richness). Our results confirm the importance of ALS data in assessing forest biodiversity indicators that are relevant for monitoring forest habitats. The proposed method supports the quantification and monitoring of the measures needed to implement better forest stands and multi-taxon biodiversity conservation.

A new fossil species of the reticulated beetle genus Cupes (Coleoptera: Archostemata: Cupedidae) from Eocene Baltic amber.

The single extant species of the reticulated beetle genus Cupes Fabricius is confined to North America. In contrast, a diverse and abundant fossil record of the genus has been documented in Cenozoic deposits in Europe, especially in Eocene Baltic amber. This paper describes another species, Cupes balticus sp. n., as the eighth named species of the genus from Baltic amber. The discovery of an additional Cupes species further evidences the hidden paleodiversity of reticulated beetles in European Eocene forests.

Bark and ambrosia beetles on native and transplanted dead wood along an altitudinal tropical forest gradient

AbstractGlobal warming is expected to shift the distribution ranges of many species towards higher latitudes and altitudes. This will rewire plant‐herbivore food webs as new combinations of herbivore species encounter novel host plants. We investigated the effects of a simulated altitudinal shift in an herbivore‐host community of bark and ambrosia beetles on fig trees in a tropical mountain forest on Mt. Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea. We reared beetles from wood baits cut from five local Ficus species in their natural altitudinal ranges, between 200 and 1700 m a. s. l. Further, we transplanted baits from three of these tree species 500 m below the limits of their natural distribution range, to simulate a mean temperature increase of 2.7°C. Beetle species richness declined, and their species composition changed with increasing elevation. Furthermore, while altitude explained a large proportion of variance in beetle composition, host tree species was more important for bark beetles than ambrosia beetles. Beetle communities that assembled on the transplanted baits were similar in diversity and host specificity to those on the fig trees native to the same elevation, but also contained a number of unique species. Overall, these results indicate that saproxylic beetles in this tropical forest are highly resilient and flexible to the potential effects of climate change.Abstract in Česky is available with online material.

Differential Dominance of Ecological Processes Shapes the Longhorn Beetle Community in Tropical Rainforests and Temperate Forests of Southwest China.

(1) Background: Understanding the relationship between community assembly and species coexistence is key to understanding ecosystem diversity. Despite the importance of wood-boring longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in forests, factors affecting their population dynamics, species richness, and ecological interactions remain underexplored. (2) Methods: We surveyed cerambycid beetles and plants within five plots each across three transects in tropical rainforests and temperate forests of Yunnan, China, known for its rich biodiversity and varied elevation gradients. We explored a range of analytical tools, including α-diversity comparisons, distance-decay relationships, redundancy analysis, β-dissimilarity metrics, and various neutral community model analyses. (3) Results: The results revealed a stark contrast between the two forest types: the tropical rainforests hosted 212 Cerambycidae and 135 tree species, whereas the temperate forests had only 16 Cerambycidae and 18 tree species. This disparity was attributed to differences in environmental heterogeneity and dispersal limitations. In temperate forests, pronounced environmental variability leads to steeper distance-decay relationships and reduced α-diversity of Cerambycidae, implying stronger dispersal constraints and weaker plant-beetle associations. Conversely, the more homogenous tropical rainforests exhibited stochastic processes that enhanced Cerambycidae diversity and plant-beetle interactions. (4) Conclusions: Our findings underscore that environmental heterogeneity, dispersal limitations, and host-specificity are pivotal in shaping biodiversity patterns in Cerambycidae, with significant variations across climatic zones.

Long‐term drought triggers severe declines in carabid beetles in a temperate forest

Evidence for widespread declines in arthropods is growing and climate change is one of the suspected drivers. Recent droughts in Europe were unprecedented in the previous centuries and we are only beginning to understand the impacts on ecosystems. We analysed a 24‐year dataset of carabid beetles from a temperate forest area in northeast Germany and investigated linear and non‐linear trends in carabid abundance, biomass, diversity and species traits. We were especially interested if and how these were linked to droughts at different temporal scales using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI). We found significant linear declines in abundance and biomass with annual rates of −3.1% (0.95 CI [−5.3, −1]) and –4.9% (0.95 CI [−9.4, −1.6]), respectively. Non‐linear trends were closely related to the SPEI when considering the climatic water balance of the previous six years and showed severe declines between 2015 and 2022 (−71% abundance, 0.95 CI [−84, −61] / −89% biomass, 0.95 CI [−97, −59]). However, there remained a significant annual background‐decline of −2.1% (0.95 CI [−5.7, −0.2]) and −3.1% (0.95 CI [−6.5, −0.1]), respectively, which occurred independently of drought. We observed negative trends in standardized carabid diversity metrics and a shift in species assemblage that were less directly linked to droughts. Declining and drought‐sensitive species tended to be larger predators with low dispersal abilities. This study is among the very first to investigate the impacts of the current unprecedented drought on forest insects in central Europe. Our findings add to the concerning amount of evidence for widespread declines in arthropods while pointing towards weather anomalies and climate change as one important driver.

Influence of forest structure and soil chemistry on ants, land snails, and beetles in Balkan floodplain forests: Examining species richness and habitat preferences

Influence of forest structure and soil chemistry on ants, land snails, and beetles in Balkan floodplain forests: Examining species richness and habitat preferences

Forest age is a primary trait filter for saproxylic beetles in the southeastern United States

Many forests throughout the world consist of regenerating mature stands. Although these forests differ in many respects from old-growth (with a history of minimal human disturbance), they typically develop similar structural attributes over time. As a result, older mature forests may be of particular conservation value if they contain resources and microhabitats benefitting saproxylic (deadwood dependent) species. Species’ response to forest age may be driven by traits that relate to ecological functions or habitat preferences, such that species with less compatible traits for a local forest environment are “filtered” out. Thus, forest age may influence species’ distributions and the trait composition of assembled communities.The Piedmont region of the southeastern United States has experienced widespread forest regrowth over the past century due to agricultural abandonment. Today’s landscapes are largely characterized by mature forests that are becoming increasingly fragmented by suburbanization. Here, we assessed the filtering effects of forest age, landscape forest cover (LFC), and deadwood volume on saproxylic beetles in northeastern Georgia. Using historic aerial imagery to distinguish forest age (young = regrown after 1938; old = mature in 1938), we sampled beetles in mature forests of both age classes occurring along an LFC gradient. We measured five traits with hypothesized functional roles (body length, body width, body roundness, antenna length, eye length) for the 472 species captured. Using a joint species distribution model (JSDM), we tested trait-niche relationships (i.e., how traits influence species’ responses) and estimated community trait composition (mean and dispersion of trait values) along gradients of environmental filters.We found that forest age is a filter for several traits (six supported relationships with > 95 % posterior probability), but LFC and deadwood volume were less strongly related to fewer traits. Most notably, large species (typically having lower population sizes and requiring stable larval habitat) were filtered from young mature forests and low LFC. Thus, old mature forests with high LFC showed higher mean and dispersion of beetle body length. Sensory traits also showed responses, likely reflecting adult life under bark (eye length) or ability to detect resources or mates (antenna length). Body width and roundness showed inconsistent responses with regard to indicated functional roles. Our results show that forest age is a strong filter on saproxylic beetle communities in the southeastern United States. Old mature forests, despite their scarcity in the region, are important for species requiring habitat stability and for maintaining communities with diverse trait composition.

Alternative measures of trait-niche relationships: A test on dispersal traits in saproxylic beetles.

Functional trait approaches are common in ecology, but a lack of clear hypotheses on how traits relate to environmental gradients (i.e., trait-niche relationships) often makes uncovering mechanisms difficult. Furthermore, measures of community functional structure differ in their implications, yet inferences are seldom compared among metrics. Community-weighted mean trait values (CWMs), a common measure, are largely driven by the most common species and thus do not reflect community-wide trait-niche relationships per se. Alternatively, trait-niche relationships can be estimated across a larger group of species using hierarchical joint species distribution models (JSDMs), quantified by a parameter Γ. We investigated how inferences about trait-niche relationships are affected by the choice of metric. Using deadwood-dependent (saproxylic) beetles in fragmented Finnish forests, we followed a protocol for investigating trait-niche relationships by (1) identifying environmental filters (climate, forest age, and deadwood volume), (2) relating these to an ecological function (dispersal ability), and (3) identifying traits related to this function (wing morphology). We tested 18 hypothesized dispersal relationships using both CWM and Γ estimates across these environmental gradients. CWMs were more likely than Γ to show support for trait-niche relationships. Up to 13% of species' realized niches were explained by dispersal traits, but the directions of effects were consistent with fewer than 11%-39% of our 18 trait-niche hypotheses (depending on the metric used). This highlights the difficulty in connecting morphological traits and ecological functions in insects, despite the clear conceptual link between landscape connectivity and flight-related traits. Caution is thus warranted in hypothesis development, particularly where apparent trait-function links are less clear. Inferences differ when CWMs versus Γ estimates are used, necessitating the choice of a metric that reflects study questions. CWMs help explain the effects of environmental gradients on community trait composition, whereas the effects of traits on species' niches are better estimated using hierarchical JSDMs.

Tree Species Affect Beetle Diversity on the Common Deciduous Dead Wood in Lithuanian Unmanaged Forests

Beetles living in dead wood are species-specific, suggesting that beetle diversity may vary between different deciduous tree species. However, the patterns of diversity variation among deciduous trees are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the diversity of beetles associated with dead wood in the second decay stage in four protected areas of Lithuania, using trunk-emergence traps on Alnus glutinosa L., Gaertn. (black alder), Betula sp. L. (birch), Fraxinus excelsior L. (European ash), Populus tremula L. (European aspen), Quercus robur L. (common oak), and Tilia cordata Mill. (small-leaved linden). The findings of our study indicated variation in beetle diversity among the six tree species examined. We identified the greatest diversity of beetles in the decaying trunks of Quercus robur, followed by T. cordata, and F. excelsior. Our cluster analysis suggested a higher similarity in beetle diversity among tree species sharing the same type of bark; however, our db-RDA analysis showed that tree species explained more variance in the data than bark type. Our results support previous research highlighting the importance of dead wood species diversity in maintaining the diversity of beetles in forests. Within the context of current biodiversity decline, understanding the similarities or differences in beetle communities between tree species is key to tackling the loss of insect species.

The relationships between dung beetles and monkeys in the Neotropical region

The relationship between dung beetles and arboreal mammals has been scarcely studied, and many of the reports refer to observations without a standardized methodology. The accelerated loss of tropical forests urges us to understand this mutualistic association. Using our studies on arboreal dung beetles in the Palenque Archaeological Zone-National Park, Mexico, as a baseline, we analyzed the information on arboreal dung beetles in Neotropical forests in Mexico and around the world. Canthon euryscelis Bates, 1867, Canthon angustatus Harold, 1867, Canthon subhyalinus Harold, 1867, and Canthon femoralis (Chevrolat, 1834) are the main species collected in trees of Palenque, Onthophagus maya Zunino, 1981 and other non-Scarabaeinae species were occasionally collected from trees in Palenque. The small Canthon species are skilled fliers strongly relationship with monkeys in Palenque and other tropical regions of Mexico and Central America. In South America, arboreal dung beetles are more diverse and include these and other dung beetle species associated with monkeys. Several dung beetle species of the genus Onthophagus have been reported in association with African monkeys. In India, several studies report a wide variety of dung beetle species associated with monkeys. In Australia and New Guinea, only some species of Macropocopris are described as being associated with arboreal marsupials, but in Borneo, several dung beetle species have been observed associated with arboreal marsupials, mostly in managed forests. In Madagascar, Arachnoides gandi is the only beetle species reported in trees. We need to formulate a systematic and comparative methodology to understand better how arboreal beetles search for food, where the food is located, and how brood balls are made, how male-female pairs meet and nest, and how they contribute to arboreal dung recycling.

Species list and pictorial key to the dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in the south Western Ghats, India

Thirty five species comprising 13 genera were recorded from the thorny forests in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India. Genera Onthophagus (14 species) and Caccobius (six species) were the most specious in the region. Pictorial key to the dung beetles in the thorny forest of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary collected during 2010-2015 is given.

Attributes of host-specificity better explain the diversified wood-boring longhorn beetles in tropical SW China than plant species diversity

A long-debated question in ecology is whether the hyper-diversity of tropical plant-feeding insects is a direct consequence of high tropical plant diversity or should be attributed to increases in host plant specialization. In this study, we used Cerambycidae (the wood-boring longhorn beetles whose larval stages feed on the xylems of trees and lianas) and plants as study materials to explore which hypothesis is more favoured. Multiple analyses were used to show the differences in host specificity of Cerambycidae in tropical and subtropical forests. From these analyses, we found that the alpha diversity of beetles in tropical forests was significantly higher than that in subtropical forests but not in plants. The relationship between plants and beetles was also closer in tropical areas than in subtropical areas. Our results imply that the wood-boring longhorn beetles show higher degrees of niche conservatism and host-specificity in tropical forests than in subtropical forests. The high diversity of wood-boring longhorn beetles in tropical forests might be explained to a large extent by their more finely partitioned diet breadth.

Can morphological traits explain species-specific differences in meta-analyses? A case study of forest beetles.

Meta-analyses have become a valuable tool with which to synthesize effects across studies, but in ecology and evolution, they are often characterized by high heterogeneity, where effect sizes vary between studies. Much of this heterogeneity can be attributed to species-specific differences in responses to predictor variables. Here, we aimed to incorporate a novel trait-based approach to explain species-specific differences in a meta-analysis by testing the ability of morphological traits to explain why the effectiveness of flight-intercept trap design varies according to beetle species, a critical issue in forest pest management. An existing morphological trait database for forest beetles was supplemented, providing trait data for 97 species, while data from a previous meta-analysis on capture rates of bark or woodboring beetles according to different trap designs were updated. We combined these sources by including nine morphological traits as moderators in meta-analysis models, for five different components of trap design. Traits were selected based on theoretical hypotheses relating to beetle movement, maneuverability, and sensory perception. We compared the performance of morphological traits as moderators versus guild, taxonomic family, and null meta-analysis models. Morphological traits for the effect of trap type (panel vs. multiple-funnel) on beetle capture rates improved model fit (AICc ), reduced within-study variance (σ2 ), and explained more variation (McFadden's pseudo-R2 ) compared with null, guild, and taxonomic family models. For example, morphological trait models explained 10% more of the variance (pseudo-R2 ) when compared with a null model. However, using traits was less informative to explain how detailed elements of trap design such as surface treatment and color influence capture rates. The reduction of within-study variance when accounting for morphological traits demonstrates their potential value for explaining species-specific differences. Morphological traits associated with flight efficiency, maneuverability, and eye size were particularly informative for explaining the effectiveness of trap type. This could lead to improved predictability of optimal trap design according to species. Therefore, morphological traits could be a valuable tool for understanding species-specific differences in community ecology, but other causes of heterogeneity across studies, such as forest type and structure, require further investigation.