Performance of moth larvae on birch in relation to altitude, climate, host quality and parasitoids

Virtanen, Tarmo; Neuvonen, Seppo

doi:10.1007/s004420050837

Cited by 95 publications

(90 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…[6,7,9,15,41,86]). The geographic distribution of many forest insects is more limited than their host distribution; therefore, insect distribution could change very rapidly in response to climatic variations.…”

Section: Impacts On Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of drought and heat on forest insect populations in relation to the 2003 drought in Western Europe

Candau²,

et al. 2006

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

-Although drought affects directly tree physiology and growth, the impact of secondary factors (insect pests, pathogens and fire) is often greater than the impact of the original stress and can lead to important tree mortality. In 2003, Western and Central Europe experienced a drought and heat waves that led to extensive forest damage. This paper reports on the impacts of drought and high temperatures on forest insect populations in the context of this exceptional event. Observations of changes in population levels of the main European forest insect pests during and after the drought are presented and discussed in the light of current knowledge and theories of interactions between drought and insects. We investigated the direct effects of drought on life history traits and indirect effects through physiological changes experienced by host trees. Forest pest insects were separated in 4 feeding guilds: woodborers, leaf-chewers, leaf-miners and leaf-suckers. The impact of water stress varied according to feeding guilds. Woodborers were positively influenced by prolonged water stress and the decline of host resistance. In contrast, defoliators profited better from the increased nitrogen in plant tissues linked to moderate or intermittent water stress. Field observations showed the importance of the soil water status in tree resistance against pest attacks. Thus, the 2003 drought confirmed observations from earlier droughts that, is case of bad choice of tree species in some plantations, site matching becomes a prominent and primary cause of the development of pest outbreaks. This exceptional drought may give us some indication of the impacts of extreme climatic events. However, observations of the performance at the individual level were not sufficient for predicting long-term insect population dynamics, which depends on complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors.climate change / drought / heat wave / forest pest insect / population dynamic Résumé -Effet de la sécheresse et de la canicule de 2003 sur les populations d'insectes ravageurs forestiers en Europe centrale et occidentale. Bien que la sécheresse affecte directement la physiologie et la croissance des arbres, l'impact de facteurs secondaires (insectes ravageurs, pathogènes et feu) est souvent plus important que le stress original et peut conduire à la mortalité des arbres. En 2003, une sécheresse et des vagues de chaleur ont provoqué des dégâts importants dans les forêts d'Europe centrale et occidentale. Cet article rend compte de l'impact de la sécheresse et de la canicule sur les populations d'insectes forestiers dans le contexte de cet évènement exceptionnel. Les observations des fluctuations de populations des principaux insectes ravageurs des forêts européennes sont présentées et discutées en regard des connaissances actuelles et des théories des interactions entre sécheresse et insectes. Nous avons recherché les effets directs et indirects de la sécheresse, respectivement sur les traits d'histoire de vie et au travers des modifica...

show abstract

Section: Impacts On Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of drought and heat on forest insect populations in relation to the 2003 drought in Western Europe

Candau²,

et al. 2006

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Rising temperatures and the associated changes affect many aspects of the ecosystem, including herbivore performance, overwintering, and their natural enemies (Virtanen and Neuvonen, 1999). Additionally, variables that affect soil properties, such as decomposition, microbial activity, and the duration of snow cover might change (Aerts et al, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and Environmental Factors Behind Foliar Chemistry of the Mature Mountain Birch

et al. 2012

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Previous studies of mountain birch (Betula pubescens spp. czerepanovii) repeatedly have found differences between individual trees in herbivory-related traits, but rarely have yielded estimates of the additive genetic variation of these traits or of their relationship to habitat. We used thirtyyear-old birch half-sibs in a northern common garden to estimate the effect of genetics and local microhabitat on resistance-related traits. Genetic estimates of foliar chemistry have been studied only rarely with trees as old as these. Moth performance (Epirrita autumnata), rust (Melampsoridium betulinum) incidence levels, and the general level of natural herbivory damage to individual trees were used as direct measures of birch resistance. Chemical resistance-related traits in plant chemistry included 15 individual phenolics, 16 amino acids, and phenoloxidase activities in the foliage. We also followed birch phenology and growth. Our results show that the genotype of the birch was the most important determinant of phenolic composition and phenoloxidase activity, but that amino acid levels were best explained by the microhabitat of the birch. We also found that the phenology of the birch had a high heritability, although its variation was low. Our results reveal rich genetic variation in birch chemistry.

show abstract

“…These are species specific, and include nonlinearities and time-delays, which may lead into chaotic dynamics (May 1976). Further complexities arise from the interactions among different trophic levels and the indirect effects of climate change via natural enemies (Davis et al 1998;Virtanen and Neuvonen 1999b).…”

Section: Conclusion and Future Prospectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changing Climate and Outbreaks of Forest Pest Insects in a Cold Northern Country, Finland

Neuvonen

Viiri

2017

Springer Polar Sciences

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Pest insect population dynamics are species specific and complex due to nonlinearities and interactions among different trophic levels. Consequently, the impacts of climate change on pests are also species specific and they are often difficult to predict. However, there are some clear examples of increasing forest pest risks due to a warming climate. The damage caused by the Eurasian spruce bark beetle has recently increased in Finland as a consequence of more frequent storm damage and longer growing seasons. In a warming climate, timely salvage and sanitation cuttings will be needed to guarantee the sustainability of the forestry. Several defoliating pests overwinter in the egg stage. Warmer winters may not kill the eggs and, therefore, the incidence of outbreaks is predicted to increase in the northern and continental areas. The most important societal implications will be due to Geometrids attacking subarctic mountain birch forests. Together with heavy reindeer grazing, Geometrids reduce the resilience of the ecosystem and they are threatening the sustainability of local livelihoods.

show abstract

Performance of moth larvae on birch in relation to altitude, climate, host quality and parasitoids

Cited by 95 publications

References 30 publications

Effects of drought and heat on forest insect populations in relation to the 2003 drought in Western Europe

Effects of drought and heat on forest insect populations in relation to the 2003 drought in Western Europe

Genetic and Environmental Factors Behind Foliar Chemistry of the Mature Mountain Birch

Changing Climate and Outbreaks of Forest Pest Insects in a Cold Northern Country, Finland

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About