Cryphalus Piceae Research Articles

Cryptaphelenchus abietis n. sp. (Tylenchomorpha: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Cryphalus piceae (Ratzeburg) (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) emerged from Abies veitchii Lindl. (Pinaceae) from Nagano, Japan

Summary An undescribed Cryptaphelenchus species was isolated from a bark beetle, Cryphalus piceae that had emerged from a dead log of the Veitch’s fir, Abies veitchii, collected from Sugadaira Montane Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Nagano, Japan. The new species is characterised by its female post-vulval uterine sac (PUS) of less than one vulval body diam. in length and female posterior body end (tail) conical with elongate posterior part and variably shaped tip, seven male genital papillae, which are composed/arranged as a precloacal P1, P2 pair slightly anterior to cloacal opening, and two small pairs of glandpapillae near tail tip and very narrow bursal flap-like cuticular extension surrounding the male tail. In addition to these characters, the male apophysis appears wing-like in ventral view. In possessing an elongate posterior part, Cryptaphelenchus abietis n. sp. shares the female tail shape with C. borlossi, C. leptocaudus and C. sutoricus, and shares a short PUS with C. iranicus, C. varicaudatus, C. baujardi and C. paravaricaudatus. However, the new species can be distinguished from these species by other typological and morphometric characters and its molecular phylogenetic status. Phylogenetically, the new species is closest to Bursaphelenchus minutus, but can be clearly distinguished by morphological and molecular sequence characters.

Contributions to the knowledge on biology and phenology of Cryphalus piceae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

ABSTRACT The small fir bark beetle (Cryphalus piceae) was discovered in Denmark in 2012. Since then, several local outbreaks in greenery plantations have occurred, with numerous dead Noble firs (Abies procera) reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the life cycle and behavioral patterns of C. piceae in Denmark, compared with a literature review of the general life cycle. Currently, C. piceae has been recorded from 24 plantations spread across Denmark. Experimental results confirm the possibility of two complete generations a year plus pertaining sister generation. Cryphalus piceae is generally considered a secondary bark beetle, and in Denmark it was mainly associated with Heterobasidion infected trees. However, its ability to overwinter in living healthy trees makes it a potential vector of unwanted diseases and therefore preventive control methods could be desired. Based on the life cycle, a yearly sanitary cutting in either mid-May or mid-June is recommended, as a control method against C. piceae in monocultures. In Danish greenery plantations, preventive measures against Heterobasidion were evaluated as the most important factor to avoid dead A. procera and the pertaining high populations of C. piceae.

Geosmithia species associated with fir-infesting beetles in Poland

<em>Geosmithia</em> species (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) are common ectosymbionts of scolytine bark and ambrosia beetles that feed on coniferous and deciduous trees in different forest ecosystems. <em>Geosmithia morbida</em> is the canker pathogen that causes extensive mortality of <em>Juglans nigra</em>. Because little is known regarding the <em>Geosmithia</em> species on European silver fir (<em>Abies alba</em>), we have investigated the diversity and abundance of these fungi associated with insects infesting European silver fir in Poland. Samples associated with eight beetle species were collected from three fir forests. Fungi were isolated from beetles and galleries. Isolates were identified based on morphological characteristics, DNA sequence comparison for three gene regions (ITS, ßT, TEF1-α), and phylogenetic analyses. <em>Geosmithia</em> was detected in 33% of the total 531 beetle samples obtained from <em>A. alba</em>. Two undescribed species of <em>Geosmithia</em> were distinguished, <em>Geosmithia</em> sp. 9 and <em>Geosmithia</em> sp. 16. Associations of <em>Pityokteines</em> spp. with <em>Geosmithia</em> fungi were recorded for the first time. <em>Pityokteines vorontzowi</em> and <em>Pityophthorus pityographus</em> appear to be regular vectors for <em>Geosmithia</em> sp. 9 and <em>Geosmithia</em> sp. 16, respectively. <em>Pityokteines curvidens</em> and <em>Cryphalus piceae</em> were associated with <em>Geosmitha</em> sp. 9 at lower frequencies.

Discovery of Phloeophagus Beetles as a Source of Pseudomonas Strains That Produce Potentially New Bioactive Substances and Description of Pseudomonas bohemica sp. nov.

Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide problem that threatens the effectiveness of treatments for microbial infection. Consequently, it is essential to study unexplored niches that can serve for the isolation of new microbial strains able to produce antimicrobial compounds to develop new drugs. Bark beetles live in phloem of host trees and establish symbioses with microorganisms that provide them with nutrients. In addition, some of their associated bacteria play a role in the beetle protection by producing substances that inhibit antagonists. In this study the capacity of several bacterial strains, isolated from the bark beetles Ips acuminatus, Pityophthorus pityographus Cryphalus piceae, and Pityogenes bidentatus, to produce antimicrobial compounds was analyzed. Several isolates exhibited the capacity to inhibit Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi. The genome sequence analysis of three Pseudomonas isolates predicted the presence of several gene clusters implicated in the production of already described antimicrobials and moreover, the low similarity of some of these clusters with those previously described, suggests that they encode new undescribed substances, which may be useful for developing new antimicrobial agents. Moreover, these bacteria appear to have genetic machinery for producing antitumoral and antiviral substances. Finally, the strain IA19T showed to represent a new species of the genus Pseudomonas. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that its most closely related species include Pseudomonas lutea, Pseudomonas graminis, Pseudomonas abietaniphila and Pseudomonas alkylphenolica, with 98.6, 98.5 98.4, and 98.4% identity, respectively. MLSA of the housekeeping genes gyrB, rpoB, and rpoD confirmed that strain IA19T clearly separates from its closest related species. Average nucleotide identity between strains IA19T and P. abietaniphila ATCC 700689T, P. graminis DSM 11363T, P. alkylphenolica KL28T and P. lutea DSM 17257T were 85.3, 80.2, 79.0, and 72.1%, respectively. Growth occurs at 4-37°C and pH 6.5-8. Optimal growth occurs at 28°C, pH 7–8 and up to 2.5% NaCl. Respiratory ubiquinones are Q9 (97%) and Q8 (3%). C16:0 and in summed feature 3 are the main fatty acids. Based on genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, the description of Pseudomonas bohemica sp. nov. has been proposed. The type strain is IA19T (=CECT 9403T = LMG 30182T).

Monitoring the epidemic of bark beetles determined in Uludag fir stands in Ilgaz (Derbent and Doruk) via Landsat satellite images.

Results of the studies carried out in Ilgaz (Derbent and Doruk) in 1999-2000 showed that Cryphalus piceae (Ratz.), Ips acuminatus (Gyll.), Orthotomicus erosus (Woll.), Pityogenes quadridens (Hartig), Ips (Pityokteines) curvidens (Germ.), Tryphodendron lineatus (Oliver) (Scolytidae), Pissodes piceae (Illig.) (Curculionidae) were important insect species where the Uludag fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmulleriana Mattf.) is the dominant tree species at altitudes between 1,700 and 2,000 m, mostly on north and northwest aspects, stand closures between 80 and 100%, slopes between 35 and 100%, at ages between 50-120, and dbh between 20 and 70 cm. It was also another result that those bark beetles were higher in pure fir stands and they preferred fir trees where Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold. subsp. pallasiana var. caramanica) exist in the stand composition. It was determined that Ips (Pityokteines) curvidens and Cryphalus piceae in fir stands, and Ips sexdentatus (Boerner) in Scots pine and Anatolian black pine stands have been increasing during last years. In this study, Landsat images (of August 1, 1998; July 13, 2000 and August 15, 2009) were used and both geometrical and atmospherically corrections were applied to these images. Epidemic of the bark beetles was observed via the spatial and temporal variation via the NDVI data of the geometrically and atmospherically corrected images. It was concluded that certain openings have been occurred between 1998 and 2000 due to windfalls and snow breaks. This condition has been proven via satellite images. It could be concluded that fir stands show improvement in observations whereas the population densities of certain bark beetle species (I. curvidens, C. piceae and I. sexdentatus) are increasing in the last years according to the insects caught in pheromone traps.

Fungi associated with the fir bark beetle Cryphalus piceae in Poland

SummaryThe aim of this study was to identify fungi associated with Cryphalus piceae on European silver fir (Abies alba) in Poland and to test the pathogenicity of selected isolates. Fungi were isolated from five populations of overwintered adults and their galleries. A great diversity of taxa was associated with C. piceae. In total, 2487 isolates, including 58 species distributed in 25 genera, were obtained. The two most frequently isolated fungi, an undescribed species of the genus Geosmithia and Ophiostoma piceae, appeared to be specifically associated with C. piceae, whereas Pesotum fragrans, Pesotum sp. and Sporothrix sp. were sporadically associated. Two‐year‐old seedlings of silver fir were wound‐inoculated with three species of fungi (Geosmithia sp., O. piceae and Pesotum sp.) recovered from C. piceae. Only Pesotum sp. showed pathogenic ability, but we do not consider it to be an important pathogen of A. alba.

Method for estimating density of Cryphalus piceae (Ratz.) brood galleries using a regression model

AbstractEstimation of the severity of infestation by the bark beetle (Cryphalus piceae Ratz.) on silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is commonly done using methods that lack satisfactory statistical foundations. The object of this study was to develop a statistical method for estimating stem infestation density which permits calculation of the estimation error and which also does not require debarking of the entire stem. The study was carried out in the near‐natural forests of the Świętokrzyski National Park in central Poland. Two general patterns (A and B) of distribution of C. piceae brood galleries on stems of A. alba were observed. In pattern A, brood galleries occurred on the 1st 1‐m length of stem (measured from the base), and the probability of infestation on successive 1‐m lengths further up the tree was also very high (above 90%). In pattern B, brood galleries were absent from the 1st 1‐m length but the probability of infestation in successive 1‐m lengths increased as the distance from the base increased. In a statistical analysis of linear correlations between the numbers of C. piceae brood galleries in selected 1‐m‐long stem lengths and the total density of infestation, the most significant correlations for pattern A were found for the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th 1‐m lengths (counting from the base). Here, mean relative errors of estimation did not exceed 35%. For pattern B, the most significant correlations were found for the 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th 1‐m lengths, where mean relative errors of estimation did not exceed 42%. The method described is only mildly invasive and therefore may be used in strictly protected areas of reserves and national parks.

Effects of different ecological and silvicultural factors on beetle catches in the Turkish fir (Abies bornmülleriana Mattf.) ecosystems

To study the bark beetle attacks on Turkish fir stands and to determine the principle site and stand factors influencing beetle attacks, trap log method was used in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. The study was carried out in ten different locations prior to flying time in February 2003. On each experimental plot, three healthy fir trees with 30–50 cm diameter and 200 m apart were cut down with a chainsaw. From each sampling tree, needles were sub-sampled for determination of specific leaf-area and macro-nutrient concentrations. In addition, on each experimental plot, crown closure, basal-area, and stand density were measured. To determine the bulk density and nutrient concentrations of the soil, samples were taken around trees on each plot. The relationship between measured stand variables, the number of beetle species and beetle populations were evaluated using correlation and stepwise multiple regression procedure. Eight different species belonging to four different families from Coleoptera were identified in examining the trap logs. Six of these eight species (Pissodes piceae Illig., Pissodes notatus Fabr., Cryphalus piceae Ratz., Pityophthorus pityographus Ratz., Xyloterus lineatus Oliv., Pityokteines curvidens Germ.) were identified as harmful beetles (HB). The other two (Thanasimus formicarius L. and Rhizophagus dispar Payk.) were identified as predator species. The analysis showed that the total number of HB increased as the site’s slope and needle specific leaf area increased. However, as needle N concentrations increased, HB population decreased. Increased Ca concentration in fir needle reduced total insect attack.

DETERMINATION OF THE FLIGHT PERIOD OF THE BARK BEETLE [Cryphalus piceae (RATZ.) (COLEOPTERA:SCOLYTIDAE)] ON FIR TREES IN ILGAZ NATIONAL PARK

This study was carried out to determine the population development and flight period of bark beetle [Cryphalus piceae (Ratz.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)], the main pest of fir trees, by using sticky traps in Ilgaz National Park in 1999 and 2000. Sticky traps (10 cm diameter x 30 cm long) were placed 50, 100 and 170 cm heights from the soil. 5 traps were placed in Derbent (1800 m altitude) and 5 traps were placed in Doruk (1900 m altitude) before the beetles leave the overwintering sites. Traps were placed according to randomized plot design with 100 meters intervals and so adult flight period and flight height were determined. Besides, parcel band having tangle adhesive were wrapped on the tree branches and adult flight period was determined. At the same time, under the 100 cm2 and 300 cm2 bark area in 1999 and 2000 respectively, were examined and beetles were counted and so a comparison was made between the trap captures. Traps counts were made with 3 days intervals. Statistical analysis showed that adult flights were at 170–200 cm heights when they left the overwintering sites in spring. Adult density increased on the traps when the under bark counts decreased. Depending on the results of this study, it was concluded that adult flights and population fluctuations of the pest should be monitored by sticky traps and so timing of silviculture precautions can be determined. Keywords: Cryphalus piceae, Population Fluctuations, Sticky Traps, Fir Trees, Silviculture Precautions

Studies on the biology of Cryphalus piceae (Ratz.) (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) in the Bartin and Karabük regions of Turkey

Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate the biology of Cryphalus piceae (Ratz.) (Col., Scolytidae) living in Abies bornmülleriana (Mattf.) in fir forests in the Western Black Sea region in Turkey. The dates of swarming, tree attack, egg‐laying, and different stages of development are given. The species had two generations per year.

Preference of certain scolytidae for different conifers

Nine Scolytidae (Cryphalus piceae, Cryphalus abietis, Pityokteines curvidens, Dendroctonus micans, Ips sexdentatus, Ips typographus,Orthotomicus erosus, Tomicus piniperda, andPhloeosinus bicolor) were subjected to olfaction tests on ten conifer species taken two by two. These conifers wereAbies cephalonica, Abies nordmanniana, Picea abies, Picea orientalis, Pinus pinaster, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus brutia, Pinus laricio,Cupressus atlantica, andCupressus sempervirens. A statistical study of the results, by means of the factorial analysis of correspondence completed by the duo preference test, commonly used in sensory analysis, revealed a taxonomic clustering by genus of the plant species and analogous specific attraction behavior for the insects.Pityokteines curvidens has a behavior analogous to that of the twoCryphalus considered.Phloesinus bicolor shows a very strong specificity forCupressus. The essential oils of the conifers were analyzed to determine their terpene composition and the ten odor spectra thus obtained were compared. The hierarchical classification, using a Euclidian distance, brought out similarities in the spectra, especially in the case ofPinus. It is shown that definitive establishment of Scolytidae is not due to the presence in the odor spectrum of any particular terpenoid. The attractive power of a species results from the synergism of the different terpenes. Moreover the definitive establishment of the insects also depends on their sensorial adaptation to volatile substances which can be wider or narrower for the species studied.