Agricultural and Forest Entomology (2014) 16, 111-118

Fabio Chinellato, Massimo Faccoli, Lorenzo Marini and Andrea Battisti (2014)
Distribution of Norway spruce bark and wood-boring beetles along Alpine elevational gradients
Agricultural and Forest Entomology 16 (2), 111-118
Abstract: Temperature is probably the most important driver of insect response to climate change and has many implications at both individual and population levels. The present study explored how elevation, as a proxy for temperature, affects the abundance and diversity of bark and wood-boring beetles associated with Norway spruce (Picea abies) along its southern range.
We selected three elevational gradients (approximately 900-1500 m) in spruce stands in the south-eastern Alps, each consisting of four locations. From April to September 2011, four traps of different types were installed at each location: three baited with generic lures (α-pinene and ethanol) and one baited with a pheromone specific for Ips typographus. In addition, three fresh spruce logs were exposed on the same locations.
Species richness did not vary significantly with elevation, whereas the abundance of most individual species did. Generally, aggressive species responded positively to higher temperature, whereas most non-aggressive species responded negatively.
In a warming scenario, it is likely that spruce forests will face increasing damage from aggressive species. This will threaten the growth and survival of Norway spruce at low elevation, especially at southern latitudes.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Andrea Battisti, Lorenzo Marini, Massimo Faccoli

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ips typographus	Spruce (Picea)	Italy