Monochamus Sutor Research Articles

Assessment and Forecasting of Phytosanitary Risks in the Forests of the Irkutsk Region

Introduction. Timber export plays a significant role in the budget of the Irkutsk region. To ensure the continued and sustainable use of forest resources, it is essential to implement preventive measures for forest conservation. One such measure is the analysis of phytosanitary risk, which helps to identify potentially harmful insects and determine the likelihood of their introduction and spread, as well as the potential economic consequences. From the perspective of applied riskology, it is necessary to carry out a predictive assessment, calculate the acceptability of risks and develop methods for managing them, combining economic and monitoring approaches. The aim of the presented work was to assess and predict phytosanitary risks in the Irkutsk region and potential damage to forestry and the economy, as well as to develop measures to reduce them.Materials and Methods. For this analysis, we used the results of forest surveys conducted in the Irkutsk region in 2021–2023 with the participation of the authors of this article. These surveys included the identification and detection of harmful insects, as well as the determination of their distribution areas according to GOST 34 309–2017 and the methodology approved by the phytosanitary control authority. Additionally, data from official statistics from the Federal Customs Service of Russia for 2021–2023 were used.Results. We found populations of quarantine pests listed in the Unified List of Quarantine Objects of the Eurasian Economic Union in the forests of Ust-Ilimsky district, such as Monochamus sutor, Monochamus sartor, Monochamus galloprovincialis, Dendrolimus superans. We calculated the phytosanitary risk and assessed the quarantine phytosanitary zone, taking into account the buffer zone.Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the analysis suggest an unfavorable phytosanitary situation in the studied areas. The high infestation of the detected harmful insects in the Ust-Ilimsky district compared to the reference areas indicates the potential for quarantine zones and losses for loggers. To manage phytosanitary risks, it is important to select options that are effective in reducing the spread of quarantine organisms and minimizing risks to an acceptable level. Sanitary logging with timely removal of wind-damaged and fire-affected trees, as well as the use of pheromone traps and biological products, are environmentally friendly options for managing phytosanitary risks.

Comparative Mitochondrial Genomic Analysis of Longhorn Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea) with Phylogenetic Implications

Longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) play a vital role in global ecosystems. Some of them contribute to nutrient cycling and pollination, while others, pose a threat to forestry production. Despite their ecological importance, there has been a lack of comprehensive analyses on the mitochondrial genomes of Cerambycidae beetles. In this study, we have conducted mitochondrial genome sequencing and annotation for four Cerambycidae beetles: Monochamus sutor, Monochamus guerryi, Monochamus galloprovincialis, and Monochamus latefasciatus. Our analysis revealed a high degree of conservation in these mitochondrial genomes, with rare gene rearrangements observed across the Cerambycidae family. Additionally, a notable bias towards AT content was identified, with most genes using ATN as the start codon and TAA as the stop codon. Except for trnS1, all tRNA genes showed typical cloverleaf secondary structures. Phylogenetic analysis using IQ-TREE and Phylobayes consistently produced congruent topologies. At the gene level analyses, our results highlighted the remarkable conservation of the COX1 gene. Furthermore, at the species level, we observed strong adaptability in the Spondylidinae and Lepturinae subfamilies. We also offer our insights into contentious aspects of the phylogeny. Overall, our research contributes to a deeper understanding of the phylogeny and evolution of Cerambycidae, laying the groundwork for future population genetic investigations.

First detection of Bursaphelenchus mucronatus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) on Monochamus sutor (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Romania

AbstractAs a result of the detection of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Portugal, and its subsequent spread to Spain, intense surveys were conducted to screen for the presence of Bursaphelenchus species in Romania. Herein, we report recent surveys of insects potentially vectoring Bursaphelenchus species collected using trap trees or pheromone‐baited traps placed in the forest. Trap felled spruce trees (Picea abies) and pheromone‐baited traps were installed in six different counties in Romania (Brașov, Sibiu, Suceava, Hunedoara, Timiș and Dâmbovița). Ten different species of insects distributed among Curculionidae and Cerambycidae were obtained. Nematodes were extracted from insects and observed to validate the presence of Bursaphelenchus specimens. One female identified as Monochamus sutor was the only specimen carrying nematodes in the genus Bursaphelenchus. Nematodes were identified as B. mucronatus based on morphological and molecular features. This is the first detection and report of natural spread of B. mucronatus in Romania. The absence of B. xylophilus was confirmed in the areas of Romania surveyed in this work.

Trapping strategy for Monochamus sutor and Monochamus galloprovincialis: potential vectors of the pine wood nematode in Scandinavia

Abstract The pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a threat to pine forests in Europe. Annual detection, and delimiting surveys if detected, are mandatory in the European Union. The trapping of Monochamus beetles, vectors of pine wood nematode, is included in both types of survey. The efficient use of traps increases the probability of detecting the pine wood nematode. How stand type, bait composition, wet or dry collecting jars, and trapping period during the summer affect the catches of Monochamus was investigated in central Sweden. Monochamus sutor and Monochamus galloprovincialis occurred together in half of the trapping locations, suggesting that the two species could interact as vectors for the pine wood nematode. Baited traps caught 25‐ to 30‐fold more M. sutor than unbaited traps. Monochamus sutor was four‐ to seven‐fold more abundant on clear‐cuts than in pine stands, whereas numbers of M. galloprovincialis were similar in both habitats. There was no difference in catch between fresh and old clear‐cuts for M. sutor. The addition of α‐pinene to the pheromone baits increased catches of M. sutor by 1.6‐fold on old clear‐cuts, whereas there was no difference for M. galloprovincialis. Wet traps caught approximately two‐fold more M. sutor than dry traps. Most M. sutor were caught in June and July, whereas the flight period of M. galloprovincialis started approximately 1 month later and peaked in July. Based on the results, a trapping strategy is presented for M. sutor and M. galloprovincialis in Scandinavia.

Performance of the tree‐killing bark beetles Ips typographus and Pityogenes chalcographus in non‐indigenous lodgepole pine and their historical host Norway spruce

Abstract The North American lodgepole pine Pinus contorta has been planted on 660 000 ha in Sweden. We compared the performance of Ips typographus and Pityogenes chalcographus in storm‐felled and standing pheromone‐baited trees of the historical host species Norway spruce (Picea abies) and lodgepole pine. In the first summer after a storm, I. typographus colonized 0.2% and P. chalcographus colonized 2.4% of the storm‐felled lodgepole pines compared with 31% and 25%, respectively, of the storm‐felled Norway spruces. In the second summer 1.6% and 41.5% of the lodgepole pines were colonized by I. typographus and P. chalcographus, respectively. The reproductive success of I. typographus was five‐fold higher in Norway spruce than in lodgepole pine. Other species colonizing lodgepole pine were Ips duplicatus, Orthotomicus proximus, Orthotomicus laricis, Monochamus sutor and Pissodes pini. The male attack densities of both bark beetle species required to overcome defences of standing pheromone‐baited trees were much higher in lodgepole pine than in Norway spruce. The reproductive success of I. typographus and P. chalcographus was approximately five‐ and 14‐fold higher, respectively, in Norway spruce than in lodgepole pine. Larvae of the most important groups of bark beetle enemies were present in both storm‐felled and standing pheromone‐baited lodgepole pines colonized by I. typographus and P. chalcographus. In the standing trees, the densities of enemy larvae were lower in lodgepole pine than in Norway spruce, whereas the opposite was true for storm‐felled trees.

Flight performance of Monochamus sartor and Monochamus sutor, potential vectors of the pine wood nematode

Abstract Flight performance of Monochamus sartor and Monochamus sutor, two potential vectors of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus was evaluated in laboratory flight mill tests. Beetles emerging from logs infested in the laboratory and incubated under outdoor conditions as well as field collected beetles were used. The maximum distance flown by M. sartor in a single flight was 3,136.7 m. Mean distances (per beetle) per flight ranged from 694.6 m in females to 872.5 m in males for M. sartor. In 75% of all individual flights M. sartor flew less than 1 km; only 3.7% flew distances longer than 2 km. The mean cumulative distance travelled by M. sartor beetles throughout their lifespan was 7.5 km. The smaller M. sutor beetles flew faster and longer distances. The maximum distance per flight was 5,556.5 m; mean distances ranged from 1,653.6 m in females to 1178.3 m in males. The number of available laboratory reared beetles was too low for quantification of lifetime flight capacity for M. sutor. The findings are compared to published data from Monochamus galloprovincialis recorded on the same type of flight mill as well as to field data from mark-release-recapture studies. The high flight capacity of Monochamus beetles illustrates the importance of considering dispersal of the vectors when planning control measures against the pine wood nematode.

First report of Bursaphelenchus mucronatus kolymensis (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) on Monochamus sutor (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Spain

SummaryThis is the first report of Monochamus sutor as vector of B. mucronatus kolymensis, the European type of B. mucronatus (synonymous with B. kolymensis) in Spain. In 2013, a female of Monochamus sutor was caught in a Pinus sylvestris forest. Nematode species identification was based on morphological characteristics and on molecular and phylogenetic analysis of dauer juveniles and adults.

2‐(Undecyloxy)‐ethanol is a major component of the male‐produced aggregation pheromone of Monochamus sutor

AbstractThe small white‐marmorated longicorn beetle, Monochamus sutor (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is widely distributed throughout Europe and Asia. It is a potential vector of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) Nickle, the causal agent of the devastating pine wilt disease. Volatiles were collected from both male and female beetles after maturation feeding. In analyses of these collections using gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry, a single male‐specific compound was detected and identified as 2‐(undecyloxy)‐ethanol. In analyses by GC coupled to electroantennography the only consistent responses from both female and male antennae were to this compound. Trapping tests were carried out in Spain, Sweden, and China. 2‐(Undecyloxy)‐ethanol was attractive to both male and female M. sutor beetles. A blend of the bark beetle pheromones ipsenol, ipsdienol, and 2‐methyl‐3‐buten‐2‐ol was also attractive to both sexes in Spain and Sweden, and further increased the attractiveness of the 2‐(undecyloxy)‐ethanol. The host plant volatiles α‐pinene, 3‐carene, and ethanol were weakly attractive, if at all, in all three countries and did not significantly increase the attractiveness of the blend of 2‐(undecyloxy)‐ethanol and bark beetle pheromones. 2‐(Undecyloxy)‐ethanol is thus proposed to be the major, if not only, component of the male‐produced aggregation pheromone of M. sutor, and its role is discussed. This compound has been reported as a pheromone of several other Monochamus species and is another example of the parsimony that seems to exist among the pheromones of many of the Cerambycidae. Traps baited with 2‐(undecyloxy)‐ethanol and bark beetle pheromones should be useful for monitoring and control of pine wilt disease, should M. sutor be proven to be a vector of the nematode.

Evolutionary relationships within EuropeanMonochamus(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) highlight the role of altitude in species delineation

Phylogenetic relationships within the European Monochamus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) remain understudied despite their increasing importance in the Pine Wood Nematode spread in Europe. To clarify the delimitation and the evolutionary history of the two main European Monochamus species, Monochamus galloprovincialis and Monochamus sutor, as well as their sub-species, a comparative study using morphological, molecular, and biogeographical criterions was conducted. Four morphological characters, including a newly-described morphological character on the male genitalia, separated the two species. Additionally, molecular data revealed twelve and two single nucleotide polymorphisms in cytochrome oxidase c subunit I and 28S, respectively, supporting species segregation. By contrast, incongruence between morphological and genetic results did not allow discriminating the sub-species of M. galloprovincialis and M. sutor, even though mitochondrial DNA revealed intraspecific differentiation, mostly consenting to a multiple refugia origin. Within-species variability was explained to a large extent by biogeography (i.e. altitude, climate). These different ecological adaptations within beetle species, together with potential climate change impact, increase the risk of spreading the nematode across Europe to novel conifer hosts and challenge the European biosecurity. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 109, 354–376.

Long-term priority effects among insects and fungi colonizing decaying wood

1. Priority effects have been hypothesized to have long-lasting impact on community structure in natural ecosystems. Long-term studies of priority effects in natural ecosystems are however sparse, especially in terrestrial ecosystems.2. Wood decay is a slow process involving a high diversity of insect and fungus species. Species interactions that drive change in communities of insects and fungi during wood decay are poorly understood because of a lack of sufficient long-term studies.3. In this paper, we followed the colonization and succession of wood-living insects and fungi on cut trees during 15 years, from tree death and onwards, in a boreal forest landscape. We test the long-term priority effects hypothesis that the identity and abundance of species that colonize first affect the colonization success of later-arriving species. We also hypothesize that species interact in both facilitative and inhibitory ways, which ultimately affect habitat quality for a red-listed late-succession beetle species.4. Possible causal associations between species were explored by path analysis. The results indicate that one bark beetle species, Hylurgops palliatus, and one wood-borer species, Monochamus sutor, which colonized the wood during the first year after cutting, influenced the occurrence of a rare, wood-living beetle, Peltis grossa, that started to emerge from the stumps about 10 years later. The positive effects of Hylurgops palliatus and negative effects of M. sutor were largely mediated through the wood-decaying fungus species Fomitopsis pinicola.5. The study shows that variable priority effects may have long-lasting impact on community assembly in decaying wood. The study also exemplifies new possibilities for managing populations of threatened species by exploring links between early, well-understood species guilds and late, more poorly understood species guilds.

Attacks by bark- and wood-boring Coleoptera on mechanically created high stumps of Norway spruce in the two years following cutting

Attacks of bark- and wood-boring beetles on mechanically created high stumps of Norway spruce, Picea abies L. (Karst.), were studied in the provinces of Dalarna (Grangärde area) and Uppland (Fagerön) in central Sweden. The experiment included a total of 362 stumps in the Grangärde area as well as 48 stumps and 18 logs at Fagerön. Most inspections were conducted in the first and second autumns following the cuttings made to create the stumps. All stumps were attacked by at least one species during the two-year period, and for almost all of them (95%) the initial attacks occurred in the first summer. The most frequently encountered species on the stumps were the scolytids Ips typographus (L.), Pityogenes chalcographus (L.), Hylurgops palliatus (Gyll.), Orthotomicus spp., Trypodendron lineatum (Oliv.), Dryocoetes sp. and Polygraphus poligraphus (L.), and the cerambycids Tetropium spp. and Monochamus sutor (L.). Both the time of cutting and stump diameter influenced beetle colonisation. I. typographus was not found in autumn-cut stumps, while Orthotomicus spp. was found more frequently in autumn-cut stumps than in spring-cut stumps. There was a positive relationship between I. typographus occupancy and stump diameter, while negative relationships were found between stump diameter and H. palliatus and T. lineatum occupancy. Most stumps (ca. 80%) were attacked by more than one bark- and wood-boring species in the first summer. The proportion of stumps attacked was significantly higher than the proportion of logs attacked for P. poligraphus, T. lineatum and Tetropium spp., whereas the opposite was true for I. typographus. The percentage of bark area utilised by I. typographus was significantly higher in logs than in stumps.

Influence of bark thickness, trunk diameter and height on reproduction of the longhorned beetle, Monochamus sutor (Col., Cerambycidae) in burned larch and pine

AbstractThe small white‐marmorated longicorn, Monochamus sutor L., is one of the most prevalent steminfesting insects in burned areas of the Great Xing An Mountains, China. Burned trees of larch (Larix dahurica) and pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) are suitable for reproduction by M. sutor from the trunk base to within an average of 3.3 and 4.6 m from the top, respectively, for trees from 13–23 m in height. The emergence of M. sutor gradually declines with height, and ceases at a bark thickness of less than 0.3 cm in both species. Emergence increased in a logarithmic relationship with either bark thickness or trunk diameter in both tree species. Two linear regression equations, Y = 2.01 + 0.426X and Y = 0.07 + 0.771 X, were derived in order to predict the average density of M. sutor emergence per 0.1 m2 bark area (Y) for the trunk based on an observed density (X) at breast height position (1.5 m) for larch and pine, respectively. The total number emerging from a tree can be predicted by multiplying the average density estimate by the expected reproduction bark area. Reproduction of cerambycids is discussed with respect to selection of host trees, interactions with guild species, effects of bark thickness, and forest fire dynamics.ZusammenfassungBedeutung von Rindendicke, Stammdurchmesser und Stammhöhe für die Fortpflanzung des Langhornbocks, Monochamus sutor (Col., Cerambycidae) in verbrannten Lärchen und KiefernDer kleine weiß‐marmorierte Langhornbock, Monochamus sutor L. ist einer der weit verbreiteten, in Stämmen lebenden Insekten in durch Waldbrand geschädigten Gebieten der Great Xing An Mountains in China. M. sutor kann sich in verbrannten 13–23 m hohen Lärchen (Larix dahurica) und Kiefern (Pinus sylvestris var. monogolica) vom Stammfuß bis durchschnittlich 3,3 bzw. 4,6 m unterhalb der Spitze fortpflanzen. Das Schlüpfen von M. sutor nimmt allmählich mit der Höhe ab und hört bei einer Rindendicke von weniger als 0,3 cm bei beiden Baumarten auf. Das Schlüpfen nahm bei beiden Baumarten logarithmisch entweder mit Rindendicke oder Stammdurchmesser ab. Zwei lineare Regressionsgleichungen Y = 2.01 + 0.426X bzw. Y = 0.07 + 0.771X wurden abgeleitet, um bei Lärchen und Kiefern die Durchschnittsdichte von schlüpfenden M. sutor pro 0,1 m2 Rindenfläche (Y) aus der beobachteten Dichte (X) in Brusthöhe (1.5 m) vorauszusagen. Die geschätzte Durchschnittsdichte kann mit der erwarteten Reproduktionsrindenfläche multipliziert werden, um dadurch die Gesamtschlüpfzahl vorauszusagen. Die Fortpflanzung der Cerambyciden wurde unter Berücksichtigung der Wirtsbaumwahl, der Wechselwirkungen zwischen den zusammenlebenden Arten, der Bedeutung der Rindendicke und dem Verlauf von Waldbränden diskutiert.

REVIEW OF MITES OF THE GENUS MUCROSEIUS (ACARI: MESOSTIGMATA: ASCIDAE) ASSOCIATED WITH SAWYER BEETLES (CERAMBYCIDAE: MONOCHAMUS AND MECYNIPPUS) AND PINE WOOD NEMATODES [APHELENCHOIDIDAE: BURSAPHELENCHUS XYLOPHILUS (STEINER AND BUHRER) NICKLE], WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF SIX NEW SPECIES FROM JAPAN AND NORTH AMERICA, AND NOTES ON THEIR PREVIOUS MISIDENTIFICATION

AbstractSix new species of Mucroseius having adult females phoretic on adult sawyer beetles of the genus Monochamus are described: Mucroseius nipponensis and Mucroseius squamosus from Monochamus alternatus Hope in Japan, Mucroseius algonquian from three species of Monochamus in eastern Canada and eastern United States, Mucroseius disparisetus from Monochamus titillator (Fabricius) in southeastern United States, Mucroseius Californicus from Monochamus clamator (LeConte) in California, and Mucroseius mexicanus from Monochamus rubigineus (Bates) in Mexico. Mucroseius aciculatus (Ishikawa, 1968), new combination, from Mecynippus pubicornis Bates in Japan, and the type-species, Mucroseius monochami Lindquist, 1962, from several species of Monochamus widely distributed in North America, are redescribed. Misidentifications of these species in the Japanese and North American literature are noted, and a key is given for these eight species. One adult female of an undescribed species found on a sawyer, Monochamus sutor Linnaeus, from Europe, is noted as possibly belonging to Mucroseius.The taxon Mucroseius is redescribed, and its problematic status as a genus is reviewed. The phylogenetic position of Mucroseius, which appears to be derived within the genus Proctolaelaps, is discussed. Previous observations on biological and ecological aspects of Mucroseius mites, including those published in Japanese, are critically reviewed, with new data added for host ranges and specificities, distribution, phoretic behavior, occurrence in sawyer gallery systems, mode of reproduction, and their association with the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer) Nickle. Cheliceral structure and speculations on the feeding habits of these mites are discussed; however, feeding preferences have not been clarified.

A survey for Bursaphelenchus spp. in pine forests in Norway

Wood samples from pine trees were taken from 429 sites throughout Norway. The samples were selected as being either from (1) healthy trees, (2) trees suffering from stress, either physical or pathological or (3) dead trees. Nematodes were recovered from 39% of samples, most from dead wood and least from healthy trees. Species of Bursaphelenchus were recovered from 12% of dead trees and 5% of stressed trees, but were never found in healthy wood. B. mucronatus was found at just one site and in this sample it was associated with Monochamus sutor, only one of two sites at which the beetle was detected. Based on the information gained from the survey and from other sources, an assessment is made of the risk of introduction of B. xylophilus from outside Europe on imported wood and its survival, spread and disease potential in European forests.