Invasion ecology of forest insects in pine plantations: risks and mechanisms associated with the introduction and establishment

VILARDO, GIMENA; LANTSCHNER M. VICTORIA; CORLEY, JUAN

Bariloche

Conferencia; TOPWOOD + LIA Forestia. Adapting forest ecosystems and wood products to biotic and abiotic stress?.; 2019

European Union Marie-Curie project TOPWOOD, the International Associated Laboratory INRA (France)- INTA EEA Bariloche (IFAB INTA ? CONICET)

Invasion by non native insects are increasing worldwide, often with strong negative economicand ecologic impacts on forest ecosystems Understanding the global patterns and mechanismsdriving the invasion of forest insects is important for predicting future invasions and improvingmitigation strategies Bark beetles Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae are a large and diversegroup of insects commonly recognized as important forest pests and invaders The main objectiveof this project is to describe and understand patterns and fundamental ecological processoperating during the phases of arrival and establishment of alien bark beetles in pine plantationsof Argentina and the southern hemisphere The specific aims are 1 To describe the patterns ofnon native pine insect introductions in the southern hemisphere, by looking into the mainpathways and routes of commerce of wood products to Argentina 2 To describe the biologicalattributes of forest insects and environmental factors that determine the success ofestablishment in pine plantations of the Southern Hemisphere, through species distributionmodels 3 To characterize the main population drivers of success of the establishment of thethree recently arrived bark beetle species present in NW Patagonia Hylastes ater Hylurgusligniperda y Orthotomicus laricis exploring the existence of Allee effects and populationthresholds 4 To analyze the risk of invasion of pine scolytid species in Argentina We expect tocontribute with information to improve current early detection and monitoring practices as wellas pest management interventions