Invasion potential of Xyleborine Ambrosia beetles in Eastern Canada and Europe (Coleoptera: Curculionida)

Ambrosia beetles are an excellent example for invasive species that show unusual success in establishing in new regions outside their native range. They pose threat to forest ecosystems and plant nurseries in many continental regions, where they were introduced. They have a mutualistic relationship with a group of fungi called ‘ambrosia’ which they carry with them and farm inside the galleries they bore in the wood. These ambrosia fungi serve as the only food source for the beetles and larvae hence, being the most important component for beetle’s survival. In this project, we investigate invasion potential of two most widely distributed ambrosia beetles: Xylosandrus crassiusculus and Xylosandrus germanus. Both are exotic in North America and Europe. In North America and in many European countries, they are considered as invasive pests. However, in Canada they’ve not become a pest yet though they have started expanding their distribution. Thus, in this project we are questioning what limits the invasion potential of these two beetles’ species in Eastern Canada in the aspects of their relationship with host tree and associated fungi, their temperature tolerance under changing climate, and their genetic variations.

Faculty Supervisor:

Stephen Heard

Student:

Partner:

Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of New Brunswick

Program: