Dispersal Ecology of Insects Inhabiting Wood-Decaying Fungi

摘要: Abstract Distribution patterns of several threatened wood-living insects indicate that they are poor dispersers, but few studies have directly investigated their dispersal ability. Therefore, I studied key aspects the ecology insects, focusing on beetles inhabiting fruiting bodies wood-decaying fungi Fomes fometarius and Fomitopsis pinicola. The genetic structures tenebrionid beetle Oplocephala haemorrhoidalis its common relative Bolitophagus reticulatus were using RAPD allozyme markers. We found higher levels differentiation in O. than B. reticulatus, suggesting gene flow between populations lower former species, level variability was not particularly low either them. colonisation abilities by comparing a number life history traits two species. to proportion individuals with developed flight muscles haemorrhoidalis, greater willingness take-off, females had more (but smaller) eggs abdomens. tended make flights long duration, whereas made shorter numerous flights. However, both species able cover kilometres flight. suggest possesses suite it better adapted exploit scattered trees present managed forests. To succeed colonisation, disperse before mating must find mates at new habitats. In field experiment, we whether representatives genera Cis (Cisidae) Dorcatoma (Anobiidae) utilise long-range pheromones locate mates. Two strategies for finding identified. sexes attracted odour host fungus, only while males sexual pheromone released female. efficiency mate-finding compared simulation model. Very small differences effectiveness high densities insects. strategy (used Dorcatoma) became relatively efficient when density substrate decreased. Thus, non-pheromone (like Cisidae) probably sensitive habitat fragmentation likely experience Allee effects population densities.