Aggregation Pheromones in the Bark Beetle Genus Ips : Advances in Biosynthesis, Sensory Detection, and Forest Management Applications
(2025) In Current Forestry Reports 11(1).- Abstract
Purpose of Review: This review synthesizes current knowledge of the aggregation pheromones of Ips bark beetles specialized on coniferous hosts. The pest potential of these insects is increasing globally due to climate change and anthropogenic disturbances. The high aggressiveness of some species results from coordinated mass attacks on trees, mediated by male-produced aggregation pheromones. Bringing together knowledge from various fields, this review integrates insights on pheromone biosynthesis, neuronal detection, and genetic regulation with concepts of pheromone-based management strategies for Ips bark beetles. By bridging traditional forest management approaches with emerging molecular techniques, it aims to support informed... (More)
Purpose of Review: This review synthesizes current knowledge of the aggregation pheromones of Ips bark beetles specialized on coniferous hosts. The pest potential of these insects is increasing globally due to climate change and anthropogenic disturbances. The high aggressiveness of some species results from coordinated mass attacks on trees, mediated by male-produced aggregation pheromones. Bringing together knowledge from various fields, this review integrates insights on pheromone biosynthesis, neuronal detection, and genetic regulation with concepts of pheromone-based management strategies for Ips bark beetles. By bridging traditional forest management approaches with emerging molecular techniques, it aims to support informed discussion on alternative management strategies. Recent Findings: • With global warming, Ips pest species now produce more generations per year, even at higher altitudes, due to their plasticity in voltinism. Combined with weakened tree defenses and anthropogenic changes to ecosystems, this enhances their pest potential. • The mechanism of Ips pheromone biosynthesis has now been well described, including the identification of key genes involved in the final steps of biosynthesis. A new pheromone storage conjugate within the Ips beetle body has also been proposed. • Genes encoding olfactory pheromone receptors have been functionally characterized in Ips typographus offering potential targets for interference with the aim of disrupting the pheromone detection. • In forestry, population monitoring remains the most frequent pheromone-based strategy in Ips beetle management, while other applications have only been partly implemented due to several limitations. Summary: Seventeen Ips species from different geographic regions specialized on members of three conifer genera were selected for this article based on their economic and ecological importance. After description of their distribution range, ecology, and biology of these bark beetles, we review the aggregation pheromones of this genus, including their chemical structure, ecological function, biosynthetic pathways and pheromone detection mechanisms. The review emphasizes the regulatory genetics of biosynthesis and the receptor and neuron-level specificity of antennal olfaction. We also evaluate pheromone-based management strategies including monitoring, attract-and-kill, and push-and-pull for their potential to complement existing practices. The review also touches on how chemical communication in the Ips species may be altered by climate change. Key research gaps are identified, and the potential of emerging tools and methodologies based on recent findings are discussed.
(Less)
- author
- Ramakrishnan, Rajarajan ; Shewale, Mayuri K. LU ; Strádal, Jaroslav ; Frühbrodt, Tobias ; Doležal, Petr ; Um-e-Hani ; Andersson, Martin N. LU ; Gershenzon, Jonathan and Jirošová, Anna
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025-12
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Bark beetle, Ips genus, Pest management, Pheromone biosynthesis, Pheromone derived application, Pheromone receptor
- in
- Current Forestry Reports
- volume
- 11
- issue
- 1
- article number
- 21
- publisher
- Springer
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105014933146
- ISSN
- 2198-6436
- DOI
- 10.1007/s40725-025-00253-9
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- f371387b-22d3-4c3f-adf3-fb34f3aa214b
- date added to LUP
- 2025-10-02 15:12:03
- date last changed
- 2025-10-02 15:13:01
@article{f371387b-22d3-4c3f-adf3-fb34f3aa214b,
abstract = {{<p>Purpose of Review: This review synthesizes current knowledge of the aggregation pheromones of Ips bark beetles specialized on coniferous hosts. The pest potential of these insects is increasing globally due to climate change and anthropogenic disturbances. The high aggressiveness of some species results from coordinated mass attacks on trees, mediated by male-produced aggregation pheromones. Bringing together knowledge from various fields, this review integrates insights on pheromone biosynthesis, neuronal detection, and genetic regulation with concepts of pheromone-based management strategies for Ips bark beetles. By bridging traditional forest management approaches with emerging molecular techniques, it aims to support informed discussion on alternative management strategies. Recent Findings: • With global warming, Ips pest species now produce more generations per year, even at higher altitudes, due to their plasticity in voltinism. Combined with weakened tree defenses and anthropogenic changes to ecosystems, this enhances their pest potential. • The mechanism of Ips pheromone biosynthesis has now been well described, including the identification of key genes involved in the final steps of biosynthesis. A new pheromone storage conjugate within the Ips beetle body has also been proposed. • Genes encoding olfactory pheromone receptors have been functionally characterized in Ips typographus offering potential targets for interference with the aim of disrupting the pheromone detection. • In forestry, population monitoring remains the most frequent pheromone-based strategy in Ips beetle management, while other applications have only been partly implemented due to several limitations. Summary: Seventeen Ips species from different geographic regions specialized on members of three conifer genera were selected for this article based on their economic and ecological importance. After description of their distribution range, ecology, and biology of these bark beetles, we review the aggregation pheromones of this genus, including their chemical structure, ecological function, biosynthetic pathways and pheromone detection mechanisms. The review emphasizes the regulatory genetics of biosynthesis and the receptor and neuron-level specificity of antennal olfaction. We also evaluate pheromone-based management strategies including monitoring, attract-and-kill, and push-and-pull for their potential to complement existing practices. The review also touches on how chemical communication in the Ips species may be altered by climate change. Key research gaps are identified, and the potential of emerging tools and methodologies based on recent findings are discussed.</p>}},
author = {{Ramakrishnan, Rajarajan and Shewale, Mayuri K. and Strádal, Jaroslav and Frühbrodt, Tobias and Doležal, Petr and Um-e-Hani and Andersson, Martin N. and Gershenzon, Jonathan and Jirošová, Anna}},
issn = {{2198-6436}},
keywords = {{Bark beetle; Ips genus; Pest management; Pheromone biosynthesis; Pheromone derived application; Pheromone receptor}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
publisher = {{Springer}},
series = {{Current Forestry Reports}},
title = {{Aggregation Pheromones in the Bark Beetle Genus Ips : Advances in Biosynthesis, Sensory Detection, and Forest Management Applications}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40725-025-00253-9}},
doi = {{10.1007/s40725-025-00253-9}},
volume = {{11}},
year = {{2025}},
}