Effects of heat on the dispersal performance of Ips typographus

Under present climate conditions, Ips typographus (L.) is Europe's most critical disturbance agent for mature Norway spruce (Picea abies). With ongoing climate change, the bark beetle will most probably become more prominent as a pest. The aim of this study was to analyse the dispersal performance of I. typographus under various weather conditions, especially hot days with a maximum air temperature above 30°C. In a field study, marked bark beetles were released from breeding logs and could be retraced in traps distributed across the survey area. With daily collections of the trapped beetles, it was possible to analyse the flight activity and the average flight distance of the bark beetles during hot, moderate and cool days. The numbers of daily catches and the average flight distance during the hottest days (air temperature maximum ≥30°C) did not significantly differ from the moderate days (air temperature maximum ≥22°C and <30°C). The numbers of daily catches and the average flight distance during the cool days (air temperature maximum <22°C) were significantly lower than during hot and moderate days. The results give an insight on the dispersal capacity of I. typographus under climate change driven future conditions. Increased air temperatures do not seem to impair the flight performance of I. typographus. A small proportion of cool days during the swarming period even seems to favour dispersal of I. typographus.