Ecological Balance in Unmanaged Beech Reserves: Scolytids or Their Natural Saproxylic Beetle Enemies?

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41320%2F25%3A106190" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41320/25:106190 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/11/1087" target="_blank" >https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/11/1087</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects16111087" target="_blank" >10.3390/insects16111087</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Ecological Balance in Unmanaged Beech Reserves: Scolytids or Their Natural Saproxylic Beetle Enemies?

Original language description

Simple Summary Beech reserves with a high accumulation of dead wood may potentially host large populations of scolytid beetles. Currently, several non-native scolytid species are quite rapidly spreading across Europe. However, a high diversity of dead wood also supports numerous saproxylic beetles that can act as effective natural regulators of scolytid populations. In our study, a high number of natural enemies among saproxylic beetles was recorded, significantly exceeding the abundance of scolytids. This finding suggests that beech reserves represent relatively stable biocenoses, maintaining internal balance through natural interactions.Abstract The accumulation of dead wood can serve as a potential source of insect pests, with scolytids being the most frequently discussed group. The aim of this study was to quantify the abundance and species composition of scolytids and their natural saproxylic beetle enemies in a beech reserve. In addition, we compared the types of dead wood preferred by scolytids and their natural enemies. Beetles were sampled passively using window traps, which effectively capture the actual density of beetles within the stand. In total, 20,515 saproxylic beetles were collected; the analyses included 11 scolytids species with 3017 individuals and 51 species of natural enemies with 4976 individuals. The results revealed a significantly higher abundance of natural saproxylic beetle enemies, with no strong affiliation to specific types of dead wood. This may indicate a high mobility of natural enemies actively searching for food resources within the forest stands. In conclusion, beech reserves support high abundances of natural scolytid enemies that exceed the numbers of scolytids themselves, indicating effective natural control processes

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10616 - Entomology

Project

<a href="/en/project/QK21010198" target="_blank" >QK21010198: Adaptation of forestry for sustainable use of natural resources</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Insects

ISSN

2075-4450

e-ISSN

2075-4450

Volume of the periodical

16

Issue of the periodical within the volume

11

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

13

Pages from-to

1-13

UT code for WoS article

001623921900001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

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