Editorial: Forest insect invasions – risk mapping approaches and applications

Abstract

Forests around the globe are facing unprecedented threats from biotic and abiotic factors that challenge the overall health of ecosystems and potentially contribute to climate warming through positive feedback to atmospheric CO₂. Presently, some of the greatest challenges pertain to the rapid spread and resulting tree mortality caused by nonnative forest insects. Increased global trade and more favorable climates due to climate change have facilitated the establishment of non-native forest insects in new areas where conditions were previously unsuitable for their growth and survival. The lack of co-evolutionary history between native trees and invasive insects, combined with the absence of natural enemies in the invaded habitats, has allowed aggressive non-native forest insects to rapidly colonize or kill trees and expand their invaded range in a short period of time.

Citation

Sambaraju, Kishan R.; Srivastava, Vivek; Barker, Brittany S.; Keena, Melody A.; Ormsby, Michael D.; Carroll, Allan L. 2024. Editorial: Forest insect invasions – risk mapping approaches and applications. Frontiers in Insect Science. 4: 1378061. 3 p. https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2024.1378061.