The Ambrosia Beetle Megaplatypus mutatus: Tiny but Destructive
Most ambrosia beetles are secondary pests on woody plants in both managed and natural landscapes. However, some of the most impactful invasive species in the world are ambrosia beetles. Megaplatypus mutatus, native to South America, has invaded other regions, and a new article in the open-access Journal of Integrated Pest Management reviews its potential impact and management strategies.
When Forest Fires Flare, Woodboring Beetles Rush In
Woodboring beetles make good food for woodpeckers, and researchers studying how forest fires affect bird populations have studied the patterns of woodboring-beetle colonization of forests after fires. Their findings offer clues and raise new questions about the impact of fires on forest ecosystems, in a time of increased fire activity and longer fire seasons.
So Many Shot Hole Borers: New Research Charts Four Nearly Identical Species
Tiny beetles once known as tea shot hole borers are actually a group of four distinct species that appear almost exactly the same to even the trained eye. In a new study, researchers combine both physical measurements and molecular genetics to better define the members of the Euwallacea fornicatus cryptic species complex.
Domestic Sea Trade Aids Wood-Boring Beetles’ Range Expansion
A study by entomologists in Italy found that the abundance of bark- and wood-boring beetles outside their native range but still within the same country is correlated with levels of trade at nearby sea ports, suggesting domestic sea transportation plays a role in insects' intra-country range expansion.