Forest Entomology Research Articles

REFORESTATION POTENTIAL OF TUGAI FORESTS IN THE FLOODPLAINS OF SYR DARYA AND ILI RIVERS IN THE TERRITORY OF KAZAKHSTAN

In the present era, assumptions on tugai forests consist of a complex floodplain ecosystem (reed-cattail thickets, gallery forests, halophytic shrubs, and grass biocenoses) of various ecological levels located from the water’s edge to the upper floodplains and riverine shafts. Anthropogenic transformations disrupted the natural dynamics of the tugai ecosystem. The presented study sought to characterize the current state of tugai forests in different regions of Kazakhstan to conduct monitoring of forest entomology and determine the reforestation potential of tugai plants in the floodplains of the Syr Darya and Ili rivers of Kazakhstan. The recent work focused on vital aspects associated with reinstating tugai forests. Special monitoring of forest pests progressed for the timely detection of their reproduction bulk, foci development, and plan extinction measures. The forest entomology monitoring results revealed the destruction of plants due to leaf-gnawing and gall-forming insect pests. A laid out 27 test areas investigated the dynamics of the undergrowth in tugai forests. The reproductive capacity of the plants, viz., Populus diversifolia, Elaeágnus angustifólia, Sálix acutifólia, and Salix wilhelmsiana, attained evaluation. Natural renaissance under the main forest-forming rocks’ characterization in tugai plantations was good.

Attracting and retaining women in forest entomology and forest pathology

Inclusion of women in the forest entomology and forest pathology workforce has been a difficult journey. While policies and resources exist for organizations and departments to increase diversity and retain women, there still exist large gaps in gender parity at forest research institutions globally. It is imperative that we better understand the barriers that exist for women in forest entomology and pathology so that more inclusive environments can be created that are welcoming towards women and other underrepresented groups. To assess these barriers and subsequent opportunities for improvement, we surveyed forest entomology and pathology professionals globally to ask about their experiences in the workforce. We also provide examples of trends in gender representation at relevant institutions. Barriers to success for women and men were very different; women experienced more barriers related to family caretaking while men experienced more barriers related to funding opportunities. These differences show where opportunities lie to better attract, support, and retain women in forest entomology and forest pathology. Although some trends in gender representation are promising, large gaps continue to exist which need to be addressed.

Sündiken Dağlarının Macroheterocera Faunası (Türkiye: Eskişehir)

The moths of the Sündiken Mountains are still not comprehensively known. We aimed to study the distribution of Lepidoptera in more detail, particular for some rare species with limited records. We sum up the results of the expeditions to the Sündiken Mountains in the period between 2019 and 2022. The moths were recorded from 49 stations. 113 species belonging to a total of 9 families along with four new families (Drepanidae, Lasiocampidae, Nolidae, Sphingidae) from the Sündiken Mountains were identified. All the given 113 species are recorded for the first time from moth fauna of the Sündiken Mountains and likewise, 106 species are recorded for the first time from the moth fauna of Eskişehir province. Eight species are new records for the Central Anatolia Region: Amphipoea oculea (Linn.,1761), Mythimna (Anapoma) riparia (Ram.,1829), Noctua (Paranoctua) interposita (Hb.,1790), Ascotis selenaria ([Den. & Sch.],1775), Chloroclysta siterata (Huf., 1767), Pachypasa otus (Dr., [1773]), Menophra berenicidaria (Tr., 1924), Aedia leucomelas (Linn., 1758). With this study, the number of Eskişehir lepidopters increasead from 160 to 266 species. The identified species were assessed in terms of agricultural and forest entomology and the indicator species were discussed.

Hyponymic and graduonymic relations of forestry terms in German and Uzbek languages

The article deals with the hyponymic analysis of forestry terms in German and Uzbek languages, and this is one of the main points of the scientific work. In linguistics, it is very important to combine the lexical layers of the language into one system and divide them into lexical-semantic groups. The series divided into separate lexical-semantic groups includes synonyms, antonyms, as well as hypo-hyperonymic series. They are not only connected with each other on the basis of clear semantic connection, but also form a whole microsystem. Also, in the article, the meaning of words was studied by combining them into thematic and lexical-semantic groups. The features of lexical graduonymy are also discussed. Taking into account the wide spread of hyponymic relations in forestry terminology, a number of analyzes were conducted on terms related to subjects taught at forestry faculties. The following subjects are: Forest Breeding, Forest Phytopathology, Dendrology, Forest Medicinal Plants, Forest Entomology, Forest Formation and Anatomy of Forest Plants. According to the type relations of the collected terms, the differential semantics related to the general meaning of the term is distinguished. At the same time, it was found that the study of hypohyperonymic lines in German and Uzbek languages based on forestry terms serves to systematize lexicography.

Screening of Newly Developed clones of Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh for their relative natural resistance Against poplar defoliator, Clostera cupreata Butler (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae)

Poplar, Populus deltoides is one of the fast growing forestry species and widely planted in the farm forestry in north-western India. This species is very susceptible to the defoliator C. cupreata insect pest which causes economic loss every year. To manage this pest with eco-friendly method, screening of relatively resistant clones was carried out in Forest Entomology Discipline, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. In this study 39 clones were screened in which 34 clones were developed by FRI, Dehradun and five other clones were included. Screening of the clones was undertaken based on the leaf area consumed by larval stage under 'choice' and 'no-choice' method of feeding. Results of the present study revealed that clones viz. FRI-PD-FS-95, FRI-PD-FS-28, FRI-PD-FS-21, and one clone of Australia G-48 were found to be the most resistant against C. cupreata with the feeding of 24.18, 41.04, 42.07 and 48.39 cm2, respectively. The feeding data of both the 'choice' and 'no-choice' experiment were positively correlated with each other. Therefore, these clones may be opted for plantation under farm forestry in north western India for achieving the better growth of the poplar.

Change in Doctoral Dissertation Topics in Forest Resources from US Universities Over Four Decades

Abstract Changes in forest resources expertise from 1978 to 2017, as measured by annual number of doctoral dissertations published on twenty topics, were examined. Using the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global database, titles and abstracts from 11,530 dissertations produced by fifty-six universities in the United States were selected. Automated content analysis and latent Dirichlet allocation were used to identify the optimal number of topic groupings among 7,742 dissertations that met selection criteria. Substantial differences were found in the pattern of publication among the twenty topics over time. The number of dissertations related to forest growth and silviculture; tree seedling propagation, physiology, and regeneration; and forest soil nutrients, ecology, and management declined over the past two decades. Dissertations related to forest wildlife management, including terrestrial wildlife ecology and management; wildlife food and nutrition; and fish ecology and management also declined during the same period. The number of dissertations in the fields of forest policy, politics, and social science; forest modeling, biometrics, and statistics; wood science; forest vegetation ecology; and avian ecology increased during the four decades. Dissertations published in the fields of forest economics, and forest entomology and pathology, remained relatively stable. Study Implications: We found decreasing production of doctoral dissertations focused on applied forest and wildlife management topics in recent decades. Declining doctoral-level expertise in applied fields after the early 2000s suggest that there may be reduced capacity to address practical problems facing both forest and wildlife managers. This decline also suggests that finding university instructors qualified to teach more applied forest and wildlife courses may have been more difficult over the past decade and possibly into the future. Our analysis indicated that the increased number of dissertations in adjacent sciences supporting forest resources has substantially increased capacity in these areas.

Attracting and Retaining Women in Forest Entomology and Forest Pathology

Attracting and Retaining Women in Forest Entomology and Forest Pathology

Recent Advances in the Monitoring, Assessment and Management of Forest Pathogens and Pests

Tree pathogens and pests are fundamental components of forest ecosystems. By killing and decomposing susceptible trees, they regulate the cycle of nutrients and energy flow, thus shaping the structure and composition of forest stands. However, ecosystems can be seriously disrupted when the population density of these parasites increases beyond their tolerance level. Ascertaining the origin of pathogen and pest outbreaks, recognizing their causal agents in a precise and unequivocal way, while understanding their reproductive and dispersive dynamics are all crucial for the implementation of effective control measures. The studies collected in this special issue cover a wide range of topics in the field of forest pathology and entomology. Investigations range from molecular diagnosis of pathogens and pests to their monitoring and quantification in the field, from measurements of their proliferation rate to the analysis of their genetic variability, from the assessment of the role of plant diversity and ecosystem heterogeneity on pathogen and pest impacts to disease and pest management. Specific case studies show how applied research conducted with innovative methods is key to solving taxonomic issues that were, until now, controversial. The variety of experimental approaches and the range of scientific issues addressed document the trends and topicality of modern forest health protection science.

In Memoriam: noted forest entomologist Steven Jon Seybold, 1959–2019

In Memoriam: noted forest entomologist Steven Jon Seybold, 1959–2019

Simultaneous Real-Time Measurement of Isoprene and 2-Methyl-3-Buten-2-ol Emissions From Trees Using SIFT-MS.

The C5 hemiterpenes isoprene and 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MBO) are important biogenic volatiles emitted from terrestrial vegetation. Isoprene is emitted from many plant groups, especially trees such as Populus, while emission of MBO is restricted to certain North American conifers, including species of Pinus. MBO is also a pheromone emitted by several conifer bark beetles. Both isoprene and MBO have typically been measured by proton-transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), but this method cannot accurately distinguish between them because of their signal overlap. Our study developed a method for using selective ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) that allows simultaneous on-line measurement of isoprene and MBO by employing different reagent ions. The use of m/z(NO+) = 68 u for isoprene and m/z(O2+) = 71 u for MBO gave minimal interference between the compounds. We tested the suitability of the method by measuring the emission of young trees of Populus, Picea, and Pinus. Our results largely confirm previous findings that Populus nigra, Picea glauca, and Picea abies emit isoprene and Pinus ponderosa emits MBO, but we also found MBO to be emitted by Picea abies. Thus SIFT-MS provides a reliable, easy to use, on-line measuring tool to distinguish between isoprene and MBO. The method should be of use to atmospheric chemists, tree physiologists and forest entomologists, among others.

Pathologists and entomologists must join forces against forest pest and pathogen invasions

The world’s forests have never been more threatened by invasions of exotic pests and pathogens, whose causes and impacts are reinforced by global change. However, forest entomologists and pathologists have, for too long, worked independently, used different concepts and proposed specific management methods without recognising parallels and synergies between their respective fields. Instead, we advocate increased collaboration between these two scientific communities to improve the long-term health of forests.Our arguments are that the pathways of entry of exotic pests and pathogens are often the same and that insects and fungi often coexist in the same affected trees. Innovative methods for preventing invasions, early detection and identification of non-native species, modelling of their impact and spread and prevention of damage by increasing the resistance of ecosystems can be shared for the management of both pests and diseases.We, therefore, make recommendations to foster this convergence, proposing in particular the development of interdisciplinary research programmes, the development of generic tools or methods for pest and pathogen management and capacity building for the education and training of students, managers, decision-makers and citizens concerned with forest health.

In memoriam: PROF. DR. DRAGIĆ TOMIĆ (1925-2019)

In memoriam: PROF. DR. DRAGIĆ TOMIĆ (1925-2019)

Санітарний стан соснових деревостанів після проведення санітарних рубок вибіркових, у кулісах та дрібноконтурних ділянках в осередках ураження короїдом верхівковим

Дослідження проведено у Житомирському Поліссі впродовж 2017 р. Проаналізовано санітарний стан деревостанів сосни звичайної в осередках ураження короїдом верхівковим після проведення санітарних рубок вибіркових (СРВ), а також окремо – у кулісах і дрібноконтурних ділянках. Виявлено, що основним шкідником, який зумовлює всихання досліджених сосняків, є короїд верхівковий. Продемонстровано, що в соснових кулісах та дрібноконтурних ділянках найбільша кількість обстежених деревостанів – сильно ослаблені (58,5 %), всихаючі – 29,2 %, ослаблені – 7,7 % та мертві – 4,6 %. Особливо варто наголосити, що серед досліджуваних сосняків немає здорових деревостанів. Встановлено, що після проведення СРВ максимальна частка сильно ослаблених сосняків становила 42,7 %, що є меншим порівняно з відповідним показником для куліс і дрібноконтурних ділянок. Водночас, частка ослаблених насаджень значно більша після проведення СРВ – 21,3 %, а мертвих – значно менша (2,7 %) порівняно з відповідним показником для куліс та дрібноконтурних ділянок. Зроблено висновок про те, що санітарні рубки вибіркові в осередках ксилофагово-офіостомового комплексу не дають очікуваного ефекту, і за один-два вегетаційні періоди санітарний стан соснових деревостанів значно погіршується, як і санітарний стан сосняків у кулісах та дрібноконтурних ділянках. Обґрунтовано пропозицію про внесення змін у чинні нормативні документи для ведення лісового господарства через гостру дію ксилофагово-офіостомового комплексу.

In memoriam: Prof. hab. Andrzej Szujecki, PhD – Portrait and scientific achievements

1Department of Forest Protection and Ecology, Life Sciences University in Warsaw – SGGW, Poland 2Department of Forest Entomology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland 3Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Centre, Quebec, Canada

An Experimental Evaluation of Cross-Vane Panel Traps for the Collection of Sylvatic Triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

Due to the limited understanding of the sylvatic cycle of Chagas disease transmission, an efficient method to attract and capture sylvatic triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is essential to monitor human exposure risk. Current collection methods for sylvatic species, though effective, are labor- and time-intensive. This study evaluated whether modified cross-vane panel traps (commonly used in forest entomology) can be used to attract and capture flying life-stages of sylvatic triatomines and whether a commercially available lure is effective in attracting sylvatic triatomines in the field. We evaluated four trap treatments in both the wet and dry seasons in central Panama: a cross-vane panel trap fitted with an ultraviolet (UV) light, a cross-vane panel trap fitted with a commercially available human-volatile lure, a cross-vane panel trap fitted with both a UV light and a human-volatile lure, and a white sheet fitted with a UV light (a standard collection method) as a control. A total of 45 adult Rhodnius pallescens Barber were captured across 10 nights of trapping representing 112 trap-nights. There was a significant overall effect of trap type on collection success; sheet traps collected more triatomines than lure traps, and there were no differences between the sheet trap and the UV trap, nor between the sheet trap and the UV + lure trap. The lure-only trap did not capture any triatomines in this study. These results indicate that cross-vane panel traps with a UV light are as effective as a sheet trap but offer the advantage of requiring less time and effort to maintain and monitor.

The International Institute of Tropical Forestry: Antecedents and present influences on forest entomology in Puerto Rico

An overview of the evolution of the International Institute of Tropical Forestry and activities that have influenced present day forest entomology research and USDA-Forest Service cooperative forest health programs in Puerto Rico.

Türkiye ormancılık dünyasından önemli bir kayıp: Prof. Dr. Erdal SELMİ (20.07.1946-13.08.2016)

Prof. Dr. Erdal Selmi was born in 1946 in Balikesir. He has completed elementary and high school in 1963, afterwards he attended to the Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul University, and graduated from this faculty in 1968 as a forest engineer. He was appointed as an assistant to the Department of Forest Entomology and Protection in 1971. After his Ph.D., he was awarded as “Assistant of Professor”, “Associate Professor” and “Professor” at the same Faculty in 1982, 1984 and 1991, respectively. Prof.Dr. Erdal Selmi had been the head of the Program of Wild Life and Department of Forest Entomology and Protection between the years of 2002-2005 and 2007-2010, respectively. He retired on 21 st July 2013 and died on 13 th August 2016. In this biography, academic activities and administrational duties of Prof. Dr. Erdal Selmi were given briefly. We wish mercy upon him.

Changing paradigms in the management of forest insect disturbances

AbstractFrom the early descriptive work, focussed on documenting the forest insect fauna and the impacts of destructive species, Canadian forest entomology has passed through several distinct phases, each triggered by new societal demands of forests and of forest entomologists. We review the various stages that Canadian forest entomology gone through in the last 100 years. Following the initial descriptive and cataloguing phase, forest entomology entered a pest control or forest protection phase, which eventually evolved into the integrated pest management (IPM) era. Although IPM dominated the forest entomology discourse for at least two decades, this approach is now considered to be narrow and pest-centric and is being superseded by a more holistic approach where the emphasis is on ensuring the health and sustainability of forests at landscape levels. The new trends point away from the “command and control” approach of attempting to eradicate pests or reducing pest damage, and towards working with natural processes in the context of ecosystem management. We indicate several areas where 21st century forest entomology could make a contribution towards the sustainable management of Canadian forests.

Forest entomology in Canada: celebrating a century of science excellence

Forest entomology in Canada: celebrating a century of science excellence

Forest Health Management and Detection of Invasive Forest Insects

The objectives of this review paper are to provide an overview of issues related to forest health and forest entomology, explain existing methods for forest insect pest detection, and provide background information on a case study of emerald ash borer. Early detection of potentially invasive insect species is a key aspect of preventing these species from causing damage. Invasion management efforts are typically more feasible and efficient if they are applied as early as possible. Two proposed approaches for detection are highlighted and include dendroentomology and near infrared spectroscopy (NIR). Dendroentomology utilizes tree ring principles to identify the years of outbreak and the dynamics of past insect herbivory on trees. NIR has been successfully used for assessing various forest health concerns (primarily hyperspectral imaging) and decay in trees. Emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis), is a non-native beetle responsible for widespread mortality of several North American ash species (Fraxinus sp.). Current non-destructive methods for early detection of EAB in specific trees are limited, which restricts the effectiveness of management efforts. Ongoing research efforts are focused on developing methods for early detection of emerald ash borer.