Changes in spatial and temporal distributions of Monochamus beetles along the fire severity in burned Pinus densiflora forests

• Published in: Journal of Asia-Pacific entomology Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 404 - 410
• Main Authors: Jung, Jong-Kook, Kim, Mannyeon, Nam, Youngwoo, Koh, Sang-Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2020; 한국응용곤충학회
• Subjects: dead wood; fire severity; forest ecosystems; forests; habitats; insects; Korean Peninsula; Monochamus alternatus; Monochamus saltuarius; Nematoda; oviposition; pheromone traps; Pine forests; Pine wilt disease; Pinus densiflora; Wildfire; wildfires; 농학; Korean Peninsula; Pine wilt disease; Wildfire; Monochamus alternatus; Monochamus saltuarius; Pine forests
• ISSN: 1226-8615; 1876-7990
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2020.02.006

[Display omitted] •Field ecology of Monochamus beetles in burned pine forests were investigated.•Change of population density in burned forests varied by insect species in relation host plants.•More effort should put into removal of burned tree adjoining pine wood nematode-invaded area. Wildfire is an important disturbance factor in forest ecosystem and could affect the distribution of insects.Because Monochamus beetles are known vector insects of pine wood nematodes in Korea and burnt pine trees can be used as oviposition habitats for Monochamus beetles, we investigated changes in the spatial (among fire severity classes) and temporal (between years) distributions of M. alternatus and M. saltuarius. From late May 2017 to early October 2018, four multi-funnel traps with pheromone lure were installed in each fire severity class (unburned, light, light-moderate edge, moderate-severe edge, and severe). All traps were replaced fortnightly from May to October for two years. The spatial distribution of the two Monochamus beetles was significantly affected by fire severity. In particular, M. alternatus showed higher catches in the severely burned sites and responded positively to the fire. A similar number of M. saltuarius individuals were observed between 2017 and 2018, while more M. alternatus were caught in 2018 compared to 2017. Consequently, it was confirmed that the dead wood of P. densiflora caused by the wildfire had a great influence on the density of insects, especially M. alternatus.