Prediction and Control of Alien Pests

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 March 2022) | Viewed by 10670

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A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Acedemy of Sciences, Leninsky Prosp. 33, 117071 Moscow, Russia
Interests: phyllophagous insects; beetles; leaf-beetles; Chrysomelidae; biological invasions; alien insects; invasive forest pests
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biological invasions are one of the main threats to biodiversity in the world and one of the major problems caused by globalization. Forest ecosystems are especially vulnerable to invasions of alien pests. The work of plant quarantine and forest protection services has become much more complicated in the 21st century than ever before, because new alien pests are appearing more and more often. It is very important to monitor the spread of alien forest pests, predict their potential ranges and dynamics of spread, and elaborate measures for the mitigation of the negative ecological and economic consequences they can cause. This Special Issue aims to provide a scientific basis for preventing or inhibiting the further spread of invasive forest pests and for predicting which species could become established outside their native ranges and become invasive in the near future. We invite contributions on the current ranges, ecology, dynamics of spread, and potential ranges of alien forest pests and of pests that could potentially become invasive. Contributions on the most dangerous invasive pests that destroy forest ecosystems (Agrilus planipennis, Lymantria dispar, Polygraphus proximus, Cydalima perspectalis, etc.) are especially welcome. Original research work on the control of invasive forest pests is also welcome.

Dr. Marina J. Orlova-Bienkowskaja
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • invasive forest pests
  • geographical ranges
  • dynamics of spread
  • control of invasive forest pests

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1699 KiB  
Article
The Box Tree Moth: An Invasive Species Severely Threatening Buxus Natural Formation in NW Italy
by Chiara Ferracini, Cristina Pogolotti, Paolo Mancardi, Michela Miglio, Simona Bonelli and Francesca Barbero
Forests 2022, 13(2), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13020178 - 24 Jan 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3663
Abstract
(1) The box tree moth (BTM), Cydalima perspectalis Walker, represents one of the recent examples of exotic insect pests native to Asia accidentally introduced in Europe by the nursery trade. In Europe, BTM develops on Buxus sempervirens L., causing significant damage to ornamental [...] Read more.
(1) The box tree moth (BTM), Cydalima perspectalis Walker, represents one of the recent examples of exotic insect pests native to Asia accidentally introduced in Europe by the nursery trade. In Europe, BTM develops on Buxus sempervirens L., causing significant damage to ornamental and natural plants. (2) Basic aspects of BTM biology were investigated at three sites in the NW Alps, where B. sempervirens occurs on rocky slopes, forming a protected habitat. In 2019–2021, we evaluated: (i) the seasonal flight activity with sex pheromone traps, (ii) the fecundity and the effects of food on the egg load, (iii) the potential adaptation of BTM on native secondary host plants, and (iv) the recruitment of natural enemies. (3) Our results revealed the presence of two generations per year. The number of mature eggs increased in fed adults and was higher in females of the first generation. No evidence of BTM shift on secondary plants was found in either laboratory or natural conditions, and no significant occurrence of natural enemies was recorded, except for one pupa of the tachinid Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata. (4) Our findings provide valuable information to address and timely plan management strategies to preserve B. sempervirens as an essential component of rare forest ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prediction and Control of Alien Pests)
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13 pages, 2940 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Forest Stand Resistance to Insect Attack According to Remote Sensing Data
by Anton Kovalev and Vladislav Soukhovolsky
Forests 2021, 12(9), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12091188 - 1 Sep 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2284
Abstract
Methods for analyzing the resistance of large woodlands (such as Siberian taiga forests) to insect attacks based on remote sensing data are proposed. As an indicator of woodland’s resistance, we suggest a function of normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) susceptibility to [...] Read more.
Methods for analyzing the resistance of large woodlands (such as Siberian taiga forests) to insect attacks based on remote sensing data are proposed. As an indicator of woodland’s resistance, we suggest a function of normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) susceptibility to changes in the land surface temperature (LST). Both NDVI and LST are obtained via the TERRA/AQUA satellite system. This indicator function was calculated as the spectral transfer function of the response in the integral equation connecting the changes in NDVI and LST. The analysis was carried out for two test sites, both of which are fir stands of the Krasnoyarsk region taiga zone. In the first case, the fir stands have suffered damage inflicted by Siberian silk moth caterpillars, Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetv. since 2015. Adjacent intact fir forest areas were also analyzed. In the second case, the object of the study was a fir tree site damaged by Black Fir Sawyer Monochamus urussovii Fischer in 2013. It is demonstrated that the above-mentioned indicator function changed significantly 2–3 years prior to the pest population outbreaks, and therefore this indicator function can be used to assess the risk of pest population outbreak. Thereby, the proposed indicator compares favorably with vegetation cover estimates using NDVI, which register significant defoliation of tree stands and cannot be used for forecasting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prediction and Control of Alien Pests)
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13 pages, 4340 KiB  
Article
Emerald Ash Borer Approaches the Borders of the European Union and Kazakhstan and Is Confirmed to Infest European Ash
by Mark G. Volkovitsh, Andrzej O. Bieńkowski and Marina J. Orlova-Bienkowskaja
Forests 2021, 12(6), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12060691 - 27 May 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3786
Abstract
Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, native to East Asia, is an invasive pest of ash in North America and European Russia. This quarantine species is a threat to ash trees all over Europe. Survey in ten provinces of European Russia in [...] Read more.
Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, native to East Asia, is an invasive pest of ash in North America and European Russia. This quarantine species is a threat to ash trees all over Europe. Survey in ten provinces of European Russia in 2019–2020 showed that EAB had spread faster and farther than was previously thought. The new infested sites were first detected in St. Petersburg (110–120 km from the EU border: Estonia, Finland) and Astrakhan Province (50 km from the Kazakhstan border). The current range of EAB in Europe includes Luhansk Province of Ukraine and 18 provinces of Russia: Astrakhan, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Lipetsk, Moscow, Orel, Ryazan, Smolensk, St. Petersburg, Tambov, Tula, Tver, Vladimir, Volgograd, Voronezh, and Yaroslavl. Within these, only seven quarantine phytosanitary zones in five provinces are declared by the National Plant Protection Organization of Russia. EAB was not found in the regions along the Middle Volga: Mari El, Chuvash and Tatarstan republics, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara and Saratov provinces. The infested sites in St. Petersburg and in the Lower Volga basin are range enclaves separated from the core invasion range by 470 and 370 km, correspondingly. It is possible that new enclaves can appear in the cities of Eastern Europe and Kazakhstan far from the current known range. All previously known infestations in European Russia were in green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), which was introduced from North America, and individual trees of European ash (F. excelsior). A first confirmed case of mass decline of several thousand of EAB-infested European ash trees in Moscow province is provided. Therefore, there is no more doubt that under certain conditions EAB can seriously damage native ash trees in European forests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prediction and Control of Alien Pests)
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