Ants and honeybees share nests of hundreds or thousands of individuals in a very small space. Hence the risk is high that infectious diseases may spread rapidly. In order to reduce this risk, the ...

CLAUSTHAL-ZELLERFELD, Germany (AP) — Nestled in the spruce trees in the Harz mountains of northern Germany is a bark-eating pest not much bigger than a sesame seed. Known as “book printers” for the ...

The mass outbreaks of bark beetles observed in recent years have caused shocking amounts of forest damage throughout Germany. As reported by the Federal Statistical Office in July 2022, more than 80 ...

Adult spruce bark beetles in their galleries in the bark of a Norway spruce tree. The beetle in the middle is infected with the fungus Beauveria bassiana. Spruce bark is rich in phenolic compounds ...

Nature gives rise to fascinating adaptations, which can sometimes lead to organisms living in some strange situations. The relationship between bark beetles, spruce trees, and a type of fungus is a ...

For the first time, a research team has mapped out exactly what happens when spruce bark beetles use their sense of smell to find trees and partners to reproduce with. The hope is that the results ...

While bark beetles have been slowly infesting trees in Aspen, winter won’t offer any respite. Aspen is currently home to the Douglas-fir beetle, the spruce beetle, the mountain pine beetle, Ips ...

Trees, especially pine trees, are in for challenging times. Although pine trees are relatively drought tolerant, ongoing drought, as we’ve experienced in Marin County for several years, has caused ...

Pathogens can drive the evolution of social behavior in insects. Ants and honeybees share nests of hundreds or thousands of individuals in a very small space. Hence the risk is high that infectious ...