Wood-boring Species Research Articles

Unearthing Lactococcus lactis and Scheffersomyeces symbionts from edible wood-boring beetle larvae as a bio-resource for industrial applications

BackgroundGut microbiota have several advantages in influencing the host nutrition, metabolism, immunity and growth. However, the understanding of the gut microbiota in key edible wood-boring beetle larvae remain largely undefined. In the present study, the characteristics of the gut microbiota of two edible wood-boring species (Titocerus jaspideus and Passalus punctiger) from two indigenous forested areas were investigated.ResultsOver 50% of Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) constituted of Firmicutes in T. jaspideus. The dominant phyla in both beetle species were Bacteroidota (4.20–19.79%) and Proteobacteria (15.10–23.90%). Lactococcus lactis was the most abundant and core prokaryote in the guts of T. jaspideus. The fungi identified in the gut of both insects belong to the phylum Obazoa (66%) and Ascomycota (> 15%). Scheffersomyeces sp. was the core eukaryote recorded. The diversity of gut microbiota in both insect species did not vary significantly. Most of the prokaryotic genes expressed were predominantly associated with biosynthesis and metabolism.ConclusionOur findings demonstrated that Lactococcus lactis and Scheffersomyeces are core gut microbes of wood boring beetle larvae with desirable probiotic properties and promising use in food product fermentation for improved growth performance, gut barrier health, intestinal flora balance and immune protection for human and animals. Further studies to highlight the latest medical-based applications of L. lactis as live-delivery vector for the administration of therapeutics against both communicable and non-communicable diseases are warranted.

Changes to volatile profiles of arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis, from drought and insect infestation: olfactory cues for the cypress bark beetle, Phloeosinus aubei

AbstractThe cypress bark beetle, Phloeosinus aubei (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) prefers to build breeding galleries in decaying host trees. However, volatile cues specific to decaying or actively infested trees have not yet been reported. Any such information would be useful for the management of this invasive, wood-boring species that has become established across Europe in the temperate zone and is now a key pest of ornamental Cupressaceae in nurseries and urban landscapes. Our objective was to reveal key components in host volatiles specific to stressed trees, which could be potential signals for the pest of its suitability for colonisation. Volatile profiles of arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ suffering from either dehydration or fresh infestation of P. aubei was collected and compared to that samples from healthy control trees. Analyses of volatiles by gas chromatography coupled to an electroantennographic detector revealed substantial differences between healthy, dehydrated and infested trees. Structural elucidation of the major antennally active components revealed that both α-pinene and α-thujene were prevalent in the volatiles of infested trees, whilst α-thujone was the major component in volatiles of healthy trees. In volatiles collected from trunks housing fresh P. aubei female nuptial chambers, sharp increases of β-pinene, myrcene, limonene, and p-cymene were noticed, alongside trace amounts of camphene and fenchene. Volatiles collected from fresh frass showed a similar profile, but with a somewhat smaller amount of limonene. Fenchone was present in each type of volatiles, however, only in low amounts. Further studies should be directed to reveal the behavioural role of these components, which could be helpful in developing kairomone-based techniques for monitoring the flight of the pest in stands of scale-leafed trees.

Bark beetle and woodborer responses to stand thinning and prescribed fire in northeastern US coastal and inland pitch pine barrens

Abstract Southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis, has expanded its range further into the northeastern United States. This expansion threatens rare and ecologically valuable interior and coastal pitch pine barrens. Pitch pine barrens restoration and southern pine beetle infestation suppression often involve leaving downed dead wood that saproxylic insects can exploit. Semiochemical‐baited traps were used to investigate the response of bark beetles and woodborers to restoration treatments at Rocky Point State Forest and the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, examples of coastal and interior pitch pine forests, respectively. A total of 29,598 saproxylic insects from 116 species of bark beetles and woodborers were captured at Rocky Point State Forest, while 23,117 individuals from 67 species were captured at Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Ips spp. were abundant at both sites with 28%–47% and 42%–74% of total collections at Rocky Point State Forest and Albany Pine Bush Preserve, respectively. Ips grandicollis did not respond to treatments at either site. However, Ips pini was found in higher numbers in thinned blocks in Rocky Point State Forest.

New Record of Marine Wood-Borer Species in Mangrove Forest of Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia

Research has been carried out on the presence of wood-borer species in the mangrove forest of Nusa Lembongan, in May-June 2022. The study was conducted at five representative sites of mangrove forests in Nusa Lembongan. The data collection of the mangrove wood-borer was carried out by purposive sampling, which directly searches for dead mangrove stems, twigs, or roots that were attacked by the marine wood-borer found at each site. A total of There were new record four species of mangrove wood-borer, namely, Phaenops sp. beetle group (Coleoptera) and Cenoloba sp. moth group (Lepidoptera), two species of Mollusks, namely, Bankia minima and Bactronophorus sp. were identified. The larval stages of Phaenops sp. were found within the dead mangrove stems of Rhizophora apiculata and Sonneratia alba. Cenoloba sp. which was found in the larvae phase, the host plant was the dead stems of the mangrove Sonneratia alba. Bankia minima, the host plants are dead stems of mangroves Sonneratia alba, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora stylosa and Avicennia sp. Bactronophorus sp., the host plant is dead wood from the mangrove Sonneratia alba, Rhizophora apiculata. The most widely distributed wood-borer species in the mangroves of Nusa Lembongan is Bankia minima. The results showed that four species of marine wood-borer are new records in the mangrove forest of Nusa Lembongan.

New record of the rhagium inquisitor species (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the fauna of the Republic of Moldova

The paper includes data on the wood-boring species Rhagium inquisitor in the Republic of Moldova. The first mention of the species dated 1964 was from Ivancea. Later, in 2007 the species was collected from Pinus sylvestris in Chisinau. The last records dated 2022 on the territory of the Republic of Moldova are from three new other localities, namely Susleni-Cobaleni, Nisporeni, and Stejareni. CABI considers Rhagium inquisitor a dangerous pest. In the Republic of Moldova, the species was seldom found and only under the bark of dried coniferous trees, consuming and recycling deadwood.

Biochemical response of Sonneratia alba Sm. branches infested by a wood boring moth (Gazi Bay, Kenya).

Infestation by a moth woodborer species is causing mortality of Sonneratia alba Sm. mangrove by tunneling through the inner bark, cambium and conductive tissue. Infestation leads to death of some infested branches, whereas in other cases infested branches have been observed to recover from infestation. We have used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate the differences in macromolecule (polysaccharide and lignin) content present in branches that died (D) of the infestation, those that recovered (R) from the infestation and control branches (C) that were not subject to any infestation. Wood samples were taken from four sampling plots (A, B, C and D) in Gazi Bay (Kenya). From each of the four plots, 15 S. alba branches were taken from five trees, from which 1 cm thick discs were cut from each of these branches to be used as samples. To identify the most characteristic FTIR bands for the three groups of samples, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied on the transposed data matrix. Furthermore, canonical discriminant analysis was applied on the data considering the main FTIR band that would be identified through the PCA factors. Finally, One-way ANOVA and post hoc test were used to verify the significance of the observed trends. Branches that recovered from infestation had higher relative abundance of lignified cells. We conclude that insect-infested S. alba undergo changes related to the lignocellulosic contents. The infestation induces a decrease of the proportion of the polysaccharide content and an increase of the proportion of the lignin contents.

The Rapid Identification of Anoplophora chinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) From Adult, Larval, and Frass Samples Using TaqMan Probe Assay.

A molecular diagnostic method using TaqMan probe qPCR is presented for the identification of Anoplophora chinensis (Förster) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from whole body insects (adults and larvae) and frass samples stored under different conditions. The results showed a perfect amplification of DNA from all samples; the repeatability and reproducibility of the protocol were very good, with standard deviations of inter-run and intra-run variability less than or equal to 0.5. The assay allowed to discern all A. chinensis samples from those of the other non-target wood-borer species, with 100% correspondence to the homologous sequences. No amplification or cross reactions were observed with A. glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), which is the most related species among those tested. The protocol was validated by an internal blind panel test which showed a good correspondence between the results obtained by different operators in the same lab. The analytical sensitivity for the lab frass with the Probe qPCR, namely the lowest amount of A. chinensis DNA that can be detected (LoD), was 0.64 pg/µl with a Cq of 34.87. The use of indirect evidence for the identification of a pest is an important feature of the method, which could be crucial to detect the presence of wood-boring insects. This diagnostic tool can help prevent the introduction of A. chinensis into new environments or delimit existing outbreak areas thanks to indirect frass diagnosis.

Colonization and reproduction of potential competitors with mountain pine beetle in baited logs of a new host for mountain pine beetle, jack pine

The mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) is a bark beetle that is native to pine forests of western North America and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Recent eastward range expansion into stands of jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and associated hybrids with lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) in western Canada has created concern that the insect will continue moving eastward. In the Great Lakes region, mountain pine beetle would encounter novel species of pines and associated insect fauna; interactions with which are largely unexplored. We baited logs of jack pine with lures for mountain pine beetle and Ips grandicollis (Eichhoff) alone and in combination in a 2 × 2 factorial design in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Both insects occur in this region, but not jack pine, a common species in the Great Lakes region of North America at risk of invasion by mountain pine beetle. We measured attraction and reproduction of insects that colonized the logs. Ips grandicollis were significantly more attracted to logs of jack pine baited with their aggregation pheromone, ipsenol, than unbaited logs or those baited with pheromones of mountain pine beetle and myrcene, a host volatile. Colonization by I. grandicollis was inhibited by the presence of lures for mountain pine beetle. We also found larvae of longhorn borers, likely ­ Monochamus spp., infesting logs. These borers, which act as competitors and facultative predators of bark beetles, were significantly attracted to logs baited with ipsenol over those baited with lures for mountain pine beetle. Our results suggest that if mountain pine beetle were to invade the Great Lakes Region, common bark and wood-boring species such as I. grandicollis and longhorn borers would not compete with mountain pine beetles at tree-colonizing stages, and thus could pose little resistance to invasion.

Evaluation of Two Formulations of Chlorantraniliprole as Maize Protectants for the Management of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae).

Simple SummaryProstephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) is a major insect pest of stored maize and dried tubers of cassava, but also a wood-boring species. In the current study, we evaluated two chlorantraniliprole formulations, WG (wettable granule) and SC (suspension concentrate), as maize protectants against P. truncatus adults at 20, 25 and 30 °C. Both formulations performed similarly. The highest mortality was noted in chlorantraniliprole WG, at 10 ppm and 30 °C (98.9%), followed by chlorantraniliprole SC (96.1%), at the same dose and temperature. WG formulation was more effective at 10 ppm and 25 °C (92.8%) than SC formulation (89.4%). No progeny production was noted on maize treated the WG formulation at 20 and 30 °C. The SC formulation caused complete offspring suppression at 10 ppm at all three tested temperatures. The results indicate that chlorantraniliprole is an effective compound with a high insecticidal activity against T. truncatus that depends on temperature, dose and exposure.The larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) is one of the most destructive insect pests of stored maize and dried tubers of cassava, and a wood-boring species. In the present study, we examined two chlorantraniliprole formulations, WG (wettable granule) with 350 g/kg active ingredient (a.i.) and SC (suspension concentrate) with 200 g/L a.i., as maize protectants against P. truncatus adults. Chlorantraniliprole formulations were applied as solutions at 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 ppm, and tested at 20, 25 and 30 °C. Both formulations performed similarly. After 7 days of exposure, the overall mortality provided by both formulations was very low (<17%). Seven days later, mortality was remarkably increased on maize treated with 1 and 10 ppm at 25 and 30 °C for both formulations. The highest mortality was noted in chlorantraniliprole WG, at 10 ppm and 30 °C (98.9%), followed by chlorantraniliprole SC (96.1%), at the same dose and temperature. WG formulation was more effective at 10 ppm and 25 °C (92.8%) than SC formulation (89.4%). No progeny production was noted on maize treated with the WG formulation at 20 and 30 °C. The SC formulation caused complete offspring suppression at 10 ppm at all three tested temperatures. The results of the present work indicate that chlorantraniliprole is an effective compound with a high insecticidal activity against T. truncatus on stored maize that depends on temperature, dose and exposure interval. The fact that chlorantraniliprole is a broad-spectrum insecticide, exhibiting low toxicity to mammals and beneficial arthropods, could be a valuable management tool in storage facilities.

Size matters: When resource accessibility by ecosystem engineering elicits wood-boring beetle demographic responses.

Episodic natural disturbances play a key role in ecosystem renewal, and ecological engineering could do so by transforming resource accessibility. While such coupling creates nontrophic and lasting interactions between resource consumers and ecosystem engineers, it is unclear how large the disturbance must be to sustain such coupling. Natural disturbances that occur from the ecological engineering by the Canadian beaver (Castor canadensis) modulate deadwood dynamics in many forest ecosystems. Relying on such episodes of fresh woody debris, primary wood‐boring beetles, organisms that dig tunnels into those debris for reproduction, act as important deadwood decomposers in the ecosystem. Here, we investigate how the age and size of beaver disturbances act as predictors for primary wood‐boring beetle abundance and species richness around beaver‐altered habitat patches. To do so, we sampled beetles around 16 beaver‐disturbed and unaltered watercourses within the Kouchibouguac National Park (Canada) and modeled beetle demographic responses to site conditions and their physical characteristics, distance from the watercourse, deadwood biomass, and the geographical location of the sites. Our results indicate that the size of the disturbance is positively associated with beetle abundance, which highlights unique deadwood dynamics inherent to large beaver ponds. The role of beavers in forest ecosystems by reaching multiple taxa at multiple spatiotemporal scales further exemplifies the need to study nontrophic interactions and their complex consequences in ecosystem management.

Forest decline differentially affects trophic guilds of canopy-dwelling beetles

Decline can affect the structure, resources, and microclimates of the forest canopy, and potentially have cascading effects on canopy-dwelling species. Our survey shows that an oak decline can promote saproxylic beetles, especially xylophagous ones, and generalist phyllophagous weevils. However, it negatively affects specialist leaf-eating species and has no effect on seed-eating weevils. Decline in a context of climate change is expected to induce considerable changes in forest structure, potentially affecting habitat opportunities and trophic resources for numerous species. Nonetheless, the consequences of decline in forest biodiversity have rarely been studied. We aimed to characterize the impact of oak decline on different guilds of canopy-dwelling beetles. Beetles were sampled for three consecutive years in oak stands exhibiting different levels of decline. Several guilds were considered: (i) Buprestidae, (ii) other saproxylic beetles split into wood-boring species and non-wood-boring species, (iii) seed-eating weevils, and (iv) specialist and generalist leaf-eating weevils. Overall, decline had positive effects on the abundance and biomass of beetles, though contrasting variations were observed at the species or guild levels. Wood-boring species, especially the main oak-associated buprestids, and other saproxylic species benefitted from decline conditions. However, at odds with the insect performance hypothesis, decline had a positive effect on generalist leaf-eating species, a negative effect on specialist leaf-eating species, and a null effect on seed-eating species. The increase in species richness for saproxylic and leaf-eating beetle communities suggests that decline might promote forest biodiversity. Our results call for further studies to thoroughly assess the functional outcomes of forest decline and to suggest management strategies for conservation biologists.

Wood-borers in Historic Ships

ABSTRACT Using evidence of wood-borers in several of the National Museum of the Royal Navy’s historic ships, this article will examine the threat posed to the historic fabric by non-marine species and the reasons that we struggle to eradicate the problem. The relationship between fungal attack and beetle activity will be discussed, and the need for supporting research into this and other aspects of damage due to wood-boring species. HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and HMS Trincomalee all suffer from attack by wood-boring species, though the infestations are in different stages of development on each vessel. By investigating and employing an integrated pest management strategy on Trincomalee, we hope to learn more about the most effective means of combatting the much more widespread infestation of death watch beetle on Victory. Other wood-borers including weevil, furniture beetle and wharfborer are also present across our collection of ships, and all these species are facilitated by the damp conditions which can never be truly resolved as the ships are located in open coastal environments.

Trophic niche partitioning in marine wood-borers revealed by stable isotope analysis

Marine wood-borers often live in sympatry, sharing deadwood scattered at sea, both as food and habitat. In this study, carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions were determined to test the hypothesis that the trophic niches of Chelura terebrans, Limnoria quadripunctata, and Nototeredo norvagica obtained from softwood boards maintained in running, unfiltered seawater are different. Comparison of isotope compositions supports niche partitioning, with N. norvagica foraging primarily on wood, and crustaceans foraging on decaying wood. Needs and acquisition routes for nitrogen determine the trophic behavior of the species. Results presented here are valuable for assessing the impact of wood-boring species on each other, but also for evaluating the effect of the separation of carbon and nitrogen sources on the diversity of the interactions between co-existing species belonging to the same trophic guild.

Infestation mechanisms of two woodborer species in the mangrove Sonneratia albaJ. Smith in Kenya and co-occurring endophytic fungi.

Insect damage on trees can severely affect the quality of timber, reduce the fecundity of the host and render it susceptible to fungal infestation and disease. Such pathology weakens or eventually kills the host. Infestation by two insect woodborer species (a moth and a beetle) is causing mortality of Sonneratia alba, a wide-ranging pioneer mangrove species of the Indo-Pacific. Establishing the infestation mechanism of the two insect woodborer species is an initial and essential step towards understanding their ecological role in the mangroves and in determining sustainable management priorities and options. Our main objectives were to investigate the infestation mechanism employed by the two insect woodborers which infest S. alba trees, to establish the occurrence of secondary infestation by endophytic fungi in the infested S. alba branches, and to explore a control management option to the woodborer infestation. We conducted an external inspection of infested branches in two large embayments in Kenya, Gazi Bay and Mida Creek, and by splitting infested branches we determined the respective internal infestation mechanisms. Infested wood samples from Gazi Bay and Mida Creek were incubated at 28±1°C for 3–5 days to establish the presence of fungi. A survey was conducted in both Gazi Bay and Mida Creek to ascertain the presence of ants on S. alba. The infestation characteristics of the two insect woodborer species were different. It took 6–8 months for the beetle to kill a branch of 150 cm—200 cm long. For the moth to kill a branch, it depended upon several factors including the contribution by multiple species, other than the moth infestation alone. A total of 15 endophytic fungal species were identified. Two ant species Oecophylla longipoda and a Pheidole sp. inhabited 62% and 69% respectively of sampled S. alba trees in Gazi Bay whereas only Pheidole sp. inhabited 17% of the sampled S. alba trees in Mida Creek. In summary, we have documented the time it takes each woodborer species to kill a branch, the infestation mechanism of the two insect woodborers, and we hypothesized on the role of two ant species. The presence of several different fungal species was ascertained, and we discussed their possible role in the infested wood. Our results cannot unambiguously associate the woodborers and identified fungi. We recommend further studies to investigate the presence or absence, and if present, the nature of fungi in the gut of the woodborers.

Tolerance of Hylurgus ligniperda (F.) (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) and Arhopalus ferus (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) to ionising radiation: a comparison with existing generic radiation phytosanitary treatments

BackgroundIrradiation is accepted as a phytosanitary treatment for horticultural products by many countries. Irradiation is a potential alternative to chemical fumigation for wood products; however, data supporting its efficacy against potential forestry pests is limited.MethodsIrradiation efficacy data were obtained experimentally for Arhopalus ferus (Mulsant) and Hylurgus ligniperda (F.). The results are compared to existing ionising-radiation treatment data for various bark and wood-boring beetles species as found in the International Database on Insect Disinfestation and Sterilization (IDIDAS) and the published literature.ResultsExisting IDIDAS records suggest that the effective dose required to sterilise insects in the families Cerambycidae and Scolytinae is < 150 Gy. Estimated LD99 obtained here for the sterility of adult A. ferus were 44.1 Gy (LD99, ± 15.3, 95% CI) and eggs 40.4 Gy (± 9.8, 95% CI). Our results suggest that an effective sterilisation dose for A. ferus eggs will be from 20 to 40 Gy; however, LD99 dose estimates were not obtained for other life stages. Adult H. ligniperda were more tolerant of radiation with 1.6% of adults producing viable eggs at doses of between 100 and 150 Gy despite 100% sterility being recorded at 75 and 175 Gy.ConclusionsOur results are consistent with existing studies of other bark and wood-boring beetles. The doses tested here were equivalent to, or lower than, those used in previous studies. Arhopalusferus adults were less tolerant to ionising radiation than the published literature for other Cerambycidae. Further studies with adult H. ligniperda are recommended as 150 Gy represents the upper limit currently reported in IDIDAS for other Scolytinae. An assessment of the potential cost-effectiveness of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment at the range of doses identified in this study should be conducted before committing to further efficacy testing.

Arthropod Diversity and Functional Importance in Old-Growth Forests of North America

Old-growth forests have become rare in North America but provide habitat for unique assemblages of species that often are rare in younger forests. Insects and related arthropods reach their highest diversity in old-growth forests because of their stable moderate temperature and relative humidity and the rich variety of resources represented by high plant species richness and structural complexity. Old-growth arthropod assemblages typically are distinct from those in younger, managed forests. Major subcommunities include the arboreal community that is composed of a rich assemblage of herbivores, fungivores, and their associated predators and parasitoids that function to regulate primary production and nutrient fluxes, the stem zone community that includes bark- and wood-boring species and their associated predators and parasitoids that initiate the decomposition of coarse woody debris, and the forest floor community composed of a variety of detritivores, fungivores, burrowers, and their associated predators and parasitoids that are instrumental in litter decomposition. Insect outbreaks are relatively rare in old-growth forests, where the diversity of resources and predators limit population growth. In turn, insects contribute to plant diversity and limit primary production of host plant species, thereby promoting development of old-growth forest characteristics. Arthropods also provide important functions in decomposition and nutrient cycling that may be lost in younger, managed forests with limited provision of coarse woody debris and accumulated litter. Protection of remnant old-growth forests within the forest matrix may be particularly valuable for maintaining the diversity of plant and arthropod predators that can minimize outbreaks, thereby contributing to resilience to changing environmental conditions.

Identification of wood-boring beetles (Cerambycidae and Buprestidae) intercepted in trade-associated solid wood packaging material using DNA barcoding and morphology

Global trade facilitates the inadvertent movement of insect pests and subsequent establishment of populations outside their native ranges. Despite phytosanitary measures, nonnative insects arrive at United States (U.S.) ports of entry as larvae in solid wood packaging material (SWPM). Identification of wood-boring larval insects is important for pest risk analysis and management, but is difficult beyond family level due to highly conserved morphology. Therefore, we integrated DNA barcoding and rearing of larvae to identify wood-boring insects in SWPM. From 2012 to 2015, we obtained larvae of 338 longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) and 38 metallic wood boring beetles (Buprestidae) intercepted in SWPM associated with imported products at six U.S. ports. We identified 265 specimens to species or genus using DNA barcodes. Ninety-three larvae were reared to adults and identified morphologically. No conflict was found between the two approaches, which together identified 275 cerambycids (23 genera) and 16 buprestids (4 genera). Our integrated approach confirmed novel DNA barcodes for seven species (10 specimens) of woodborers not in public databases. This study demonstrates the utility of DNA barcoding as a tool for regulatory agencies. We provide important documentation of potential beetle pests that may cross country borders through the SWPM pathway.

Wood decay at sea

The oceans and seas receive coarse woody debris since the Devonian, but the kinetics of wood degradation remains one of many unanswered questions about the fate of driftwood in the marine environment. A simple gravimetric experiment was carried out at a monitoring station located at the exit of a steep, forested Mediterranean watershed in the Eastern Pyrenees. The objective was to describe and quantify, with standardized logs (in shape, structure and constitution), natural degradation of wood in the sea. Results show that the mass decrease of wood logs over time can be described by a sigmoidal curve. The primary process of wood decay observed at the monitoring station was due to the arrival and installation of wood-boring species that consumed more than half of the total wood mass in six months. Surprisingly, in a region where there is little remaining wood marine infrastructure, “shipworms”, i.e. xylophagous bivalves, are responsible for an important part of this wood decay. This suggests that these communities are maintained probably by a frequent supply of a large quantity of riparian wood entering the marine environment adjacent to the watershed. By exploring this direct link between terrestrial and marine ecosystems, our long term objective is to determine how these supplies of terrestrial organic carbon can sustain wood-based marine communities as it is observed in the Mediterranean Sea.

Beetles (Coleoptera) of Peru: A Survey of the Families. Buprestidae

Buprestidae Diversity in Peru: 4 subfamilies, 12 tribes, 29 genera, 110 species and 3 subspecies. Recognition: Buprestidae are commonly called “jewel beetles” because of the spectacular colors of the adults of many species. Most buprestids are small to medium-sized beetles, although Euchroma gigantea is one of the largest Neotropical insects (55 mm). Adults display two extremes of morphology and ecology: members of one group are small (2–6 mm), rhomboidal, dorso-ventrally flattened, and mine leaves as larvae; the rest of the family are borers in wood or soft tissues and are larger (4–35 mm), elongate, and cylindrical or moderately flattened. Adults of many species are strongly shining and brightly metallic in coloration, a few are more or less covered by waxy yellow powder, and some have patterns formed by setae. Mimicry occurs in adults of both leaf-miners (models include chrysomelids and coccinellids; Hespenheide, 2014) and wood-borers (models include ants, flies and wasps; Hespenheide, 1986, 2010, 2012). Larvae are typically flattened with a large prothorax. Habitat: Members of the family occur primarily at low- to mid-elevations, below 2000–3000 m. Buprestids are most common in primary forest canopies, at forest edges, or in secondary growth, although a few species are found in open habitats on weeds and sedges. Adult behavior is related to larval feeding type. Wood-boring species are more numerous in areas of lower rainfall and a well-defined dry season and are usually found running on the trunks and branches of recently dead trees or branches, or feeding on leaves of their larval hosts. Adults are most active during the sunny weather during midday, and they fly readily, making them difficult to capture. Leaf-mining species are more common in areas with higher rainfall, and adults usually feed on the leaves of the larval host. Larval mines are usually full-depth and may be either serpentine or blotch-like in form, depending on the species. Except for some of the larger wood-boring species, most buprestids of both ecological types are apparently relatively narrowly host-specific and many appear to exist in very low populations. Many are associated with woody dicots, especially legumes, although leaf-miners are known from ferns and such monocots as sedges (Cyperaceae) and palms (Arecaceae). Pest species in Peru: Very few tropical species appear to be important agriculturally. Leaf-mining species (Leiopleura spp.) are associated with cassava or yuca (Manihot esculenta). The invasive Aphanisticus cochinchinae seminulum likely occurs on sugar cane, but neither appears to have much effect on the plants. Chrysobothris species have been reported as pests in plantations of woody plants.

First records of the warm water shipworm Teredo bartschi Clapp, 1923 (Bivalvia, Teredinidae) in Mersin, southern Turkey and in Olhão, Portugal

Bivalves of the family Teredinidae are among the most destructive wood-boring species in the sea. We report the first occurrences of the warm-water shipworm Teredo bartschi in Mersin, Turkey, and Olhao, Portugal. The colonisation of the site in Mersin is likely to have occurred by rafting adults originating from the Red Sea, which passed through the Suez Canal (lessepsian migrants). T. bartschi might have been introduced in Olhao Harbour, Portugal, either by rafting adults with larvae transported by currents or by larvae transported by ships in ballast water. These seem to be the first published records of established T. bartschi populations in the Mediterranean and in northeast Atlantic.