Predicting the development and spread of Emerald Ash Borer in Britain and Western Canada
Forest Entomology PhD Studentship
University of Toronto, Natural Resources Canada Canadian Forest Service, and Forest Research UK
A PhD studentship is available to work as part of an international research group investigating the risks of establishment by the invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetle into the UK, northern Europe, and western Canada. By exploring the beetle's relationship with temperature and host resistance, the project will determine how the cooler climates of these regions will influence the life cycle and rate of spread of EAB, model its potential impact upon different ash tree species, and ensure management strategies are the most appropriate for the climatic context.
Introduction
Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis (EAB) is a buprestid beetle native to China, Korea and Japan where it is a secondary pest of stressed and moribund ash trees (Fraxinus mandshurica and F. chinensis) and has no economic impact. Since its accidental introduction into North America however, it has had a devastating impact on all native ash species, including green, white and black ash (F. pennsylvanica, F. americana and F. nigra), which are highly susceptible to attack. Trees are killed within 3-5 years, and where the beetle is well established up to 99% of ash trees have been lost. Infestations have been reported from large areas of southern Ontario and Quebec in Canada, and in 30 US states, and the beetle is still spreading. Hundreds of millions of ash trees have been killed in the USA and Canada to date.
EAB has also been accidentally introduced to Russia, where it has spread outwards from Moscow on American green ash planted along roadsides. The threat to ash in Europe is now severe as EAB spreads south-west in Russia into areas where European ash, Fraxinus excelsior is a natural component of the landscape. From here the pest is expected to be able to spread unhindered toward central and western Europe. There is still considerable uncertainty however, over how susceptible F. excelsior is to attack. Field trials in the USA suggest that it is highly susceptible to EAB, but observations in Moscow indicate that not all F. excelsior are attacked and this species may possess a degree of resistance.
Another major uncertainty over the likely impact of EAB in Europe is how far and how rapidly the beetle will spread, particularly in the cooler maritime climate of the north and west. The current distribution of EAB in the USA, Canada and Moscow, encompasses areas with a continental climate and relatively high summer temperatures. It is not known whether EAB will perform equally well under a cooler and wetter climate such as that in the UK, and whether this might limit its rate of spread, abundance, and impact on ash trees.
Life-cycle duration and dispersal opportunities in insects are largely governed by temperature. For example, Asian longhorn beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) has also been introduced into both North America and Europe, is similarly adapted to benefit from high summertime temperatures. Analysis of a recent outbreak in the UK showed that the beetle required 3 years to complete its life-cycle, compared to only 1 year in continental regions with higher summertime temperatures. Limited opportunities for dispersal also meant that the population remained small and contained, in a way not seen in warmer climates. The cooler summer temperatures experienced in the UK and in western Canada may similarly influence the life cycle and flight dispersal opportunities for EAB once it establishes there. The limited data available on the thermal requirements for EAB suggests an optimum development temperature of 25-30°C. In comparison, mean summer temperatures in forest habitats in the UK and western Canada are often around 15-20°C. Thus in combination with a potentially more resistant host tree in F. excelsior in Europe, it is possible that EAB populations may increase and spread more slowly than has been observed to date. This may provide opportunities to manage it in a way not achievable in its current outbreak area.
Project aims
This project will determine the relationship between temperature and development rate for all life stages of EAB, so that we can predict how the beetle will perform in the cooler climate of the UK and western Canada. We will establish these relationships through a series of experiments in which the different stages of the beetles are reared across a range of temperatures (7-30°C), and on different Ash tree species suspected to vary in their resistance to EAB. The data obtained will then be used to construct phenological and population models to assess the likelihood of establishment in the UK, northern Europe, and western Canada, as well as its potential rate of increase and spread, and likely impact on forest health. These models in turn will provide a basis for assessing the future economic impacts of EAB and an indication of the resources likely to be required in the future to deal with an introduction and subsequent outbreak. Understanding the potential rate of increase and spread into these new areas would enable hypotheses to be tested comparing different management strategies.
Experimental research will be conducted by the PhD student at the Natural Resources Canada Canadian Forest Service's Great Lakes Forestry Centre (GLFC) in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada; other studentship requirements will be fulfilled at the Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto. There will also be the opportunity to visit ongoing Forest Research programs in the UK. Supervision will be provided by Dr Chris MacQuarrie (GLFC), Dr Daegan Inward (Forest Research, UK), and Professor Sandy M. Smith (University of Toronto).
Applications will be accepted up until December 2017, but Interested students are strongly encouraged to contact project leaders as soon as possible to discuss an earlier start date. Contacts include: Prof. Sandy M Smith, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto (s. smith.a(a)utoronto.ca<mailto:s.smith.a@utoronto.ca>), Dr. Chris MacQuarrie, Canadian Forest Service, Sault Ste Marie (christian.macquarrie(a)canada.ca<mailto:christian.macquarrie@canada.ca>) or Dr. Daegan Inward, UK Forest Commission (Daegan.Inward(a)forestry.gsi.gov.uk<mailto:Daegan.Inward@forestry.gsi.gov.uk>).
Information on the formal application process and guaranteed stipend support for PhD programs at the Faculty of Forestry can be found at: http://forestry.utoronto.ca/phd-degree-requirements/ and http://forestry.utoronto.ca/phd-and-mscf-funding/. Additional information for the University of Toronto graduate school is available at: https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/prospectivestudents/Pages/Frequently-Asked-Ques….
Please Note: Funding will be available for 4 years and is targeted to Canadian citizens, however exceptional international students (i.e. hold a competitive academic average of A or better equivalency; see School of Graduate Studies admissions site for information on equivalent international qualifications<http://portal.sgs.utoronto.ca/current/admission/intdegequiv.asp>, and meet all other academic requirements) may be considered if they are eligible for post-graduate scholarships through the University of Toronto.
Research Scientist, Canadian Forest Service
Natural Resources Canada / Government of Canada
Christian.MacQuarrie(a)canada.ca<mailto:Christian.MacQuarrie@canada.ca> / Tel: 705-541-5666
Chercheur scientifique, Service canadien des forêts
Ressources naturelles Canada / Gouvernement du Canada
Christian.MacQuarrie(a)canada.ca<mailto:Christian.MacQuarrie@canada.ca> / Tél. : 705-541-5666
Tandberg 77055415666
Twitter @cmacquar
Dear friends and colleagues,
there are only 2 days left before the extended abstract submission deadline
of the Joint Meeting of IUFRO's WPs 7.03.05&7.03.10 expires...so take the
chance, click here
<http://mailchi.mp/5e997bdd60f0/only-3-days-left-for-the-abstract-submission…>
and
submit an abstract before 31. May 2017, in order to participate in the
exciting meeting that will take place in Thessaloniki, from 11 to 15 of
September 2017.
We are looking forward to welcoming you here in Thessaloniki, for an
unforgettable meeting...!
Dimitrios N. Avtzis
Leader of the organizing committee,
--
[image: www.iufrogreece2017.com] <http://www.iufrogreece2017.com>
Dear friends and colleagues,
This message about the all-Division 7, Forest Health, segment of the IUFRO 125th Anniversary Congress contains important information about the following points (our apologies if you receive this more than once):
(1) congress registration,
(2) post-congress field trips organised by Div. 7 (news and changes),
(3) a social evening for participants contributing to (or interested in) Div. 7, Forest Health, on Monday, 18 Sept. 2017,
(4) the business meeting of Div. 7, Forest Health, where everyone is welcome to learn about planned activities and opportunities to discuss and contribute.
(1) Congress registration
Hopefully you are all aware that the deadline for Early-Bird Registration is coming up very soon (1 June 2017), and that it is a requirement for all presenters to have registered for the Congress by this deadline. Every presenter not registered by 1 June will be removed from the programme. The congress organisers have to adhere to this rule to enable the planning of the programme.
(2) Post-congress field trips organised by Div. 7 (news and changes)
Some of you will be aware that we have been planning a Forest Health post-congress tour, over two days in the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains in France to see various forest health concerns (mainly insects and pathogens).
Those of you who have already registered may not have seen this in the list of two-day tours because the 2-day tour (Excursion 38) has only just been listed on the congress website (see http://iufro2017.com/two-day-excursions/#toggle-id-11 ).
Also note that there is a change in the plans for Excursion 11 (Bark beetle management in the Black Forest). Originally this was meant to be offered in two options, as a stand-alone 1-day field trip AND as part of a 2-day post-congress tour focussing on forest health issues. However, the organisers of these two excursions (#11 and #38) have decided to merge them entirely, so that the preferred option is now that all participants join the 2-day tour on 23-24 September. A detailed description of the full programme of Excursion 38 is attached.
Excursion 38 (the 2-day post-congress tour) is entitled 'Ecology and management of emerging and invasive forest pests and diseases'
It includes an overnight stay in a hotel in France, two lunches and a dinner, wine tasting, etc., and the fee is 270 Euros.
We are corresponding directly with those who have already signed up for Excursion 11 about their options (to either join the extended tour (#38) or continue with the original Excursion 11 which we offer to those who don't want to join the 2-day tour).
We hope that you will be interested in joining us for the 2-day tour. I'm sure it will be a great experience and a perfect conclusion to the 125th Anniversary Congress and the embedded Division 7 (Forest Health) conference.
(3) Social evening for all interested in Div. 7, Forest Health, on 18 Sept.
We are planning a social evening in a beer garden not far from the centre of Freiburg on Monday, 18 Sept. 2017, from about 8 pm / 20:00 hrs. This is mainly for all those who are interested in or contributing to Div. 7. (those interested or presenting in Div. 7 sessions, participating with working parties, etc. Horst Delb has kindly agreed to help organise this. This promises to be a very nice opportunity to socialise in the beer garden outdoors or in the hall inside (in case the weather is not so kind). There will be local beers and other drinks available, including non-alcoholic options, as well as dinner. We will have more information about this soon, but we suggest you keep Monday evening free, so you can join us.
(4) The business meeting of Div. 7, Forest Health, on 19 Sept.
Although the name 'business meeting' may not be so enticing, these meetings are always very interesting to anyone who would like to know a little more about IUFRO, the Forest Health groups and their activities, upcoming conferences, opportunities to discuss relevant topics, become involved, etc. Attendance of this is not limited to office holders and, in fact, everyone is welcome to come along.
This is currently scheduled for Tuesday, 19 Sept. 2017, from 8 pm / 20:00 hrs. Please mark this in your diaries.
Please send me an email if you have any questions or suggestions (which we welcome).
Kind regards,
Ecki Brockerhoff
Eckehard Brockerhoff, PhD
Coordinator, IUFRO Division 7 (Forest Health)
Principal Scientist, Scion
Postal address: PO Box 29237, Riccarton, Christchurch 8440, New Zealand
Physical / courier address: Forestry Building, Forestry Road, Ilam, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
DDI +64 3 364 2987 extension 7206 | Mobile +64 21 784 750 | Email eckehard.brockerhoff(a)scionresearch.com<mailto:eckehard.brockerhoff@scionresearch.com>
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This email and any attachments are intended solely for the addressees named above. It may contain information which is legally privileged, confidential or subject to copyright. Any unauthorised review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please delete it. As part of Scion's cyber security policy, Scion's IT systems are subject to ongoing monitoring, activity logging and auditing, and may include 3rd party monitoring on our behalf.
It's time to register for the 2017 Southern Forest Insect Work Conference, 25-28 July 2017, at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne - Oceanfront, in Melbourne, Florida, USA!
The SFIWC 2017 registration form is available exclusively online through Eventbrite again this year. Go to https://sfiwc2017.eventbrite.com to register. The registration fee is $280 ($180 for students and retired members), which includes a ticket to the Thursday night banquet for the registrant. Extra banquet tickets for guests are $35 (for children 12-and-under, it's only $20). Registration receipts and banquet tickets will be distributed at the registration table.
Pre-registration on the Eventbrite website will be accepted until July 7, 2017. After this date, only on-site registration will be available.
IMPORTANT!!!: If you choose, you can now pay your registration fee online at the Eventbrite website (https://sfiwc2017.eventbrite.com) with a credit card prior to the meeting! Please be aware that the deadline for paying via credit card is July 7, 2017. Credit card payments will NOT be accepted after this date! Credit card payments will NOT be accepted "at the door!"
IMPORTANT!!!: If you are not paying your registration fee with a credit card, please go to Eventbrite website (https://sfiwc2017.eventbrite.com) to fill out the registration form, indicating your payment preference. There are options on the online registration form for paying via mailing a check to me or using a check or cash "at the door." Instead of pressing the "Register" button (to pay via credit card), press the "Show other payment options" and then "Pay Offline" buttons to select one of these additional payment choices.
Please be aware that an additional $8.00 fee applies to all Canadian and other non-U.S. checks.
This year's banquet will have a choice of four entrees: Prime Rib (herb seasoned and served with horseradish and au jus), Grilled Mahi Mahi (with orange beurre blanc sauce), Ricotta Basil Stuffed Chicken, and Vegetarian (Portabella mushroom with ravioli and herbed cream cheese sauce). One banquet ticket (for yourself) is included in your registration fee. Children 12-and-under have their own menu choice: Chicken Fingers with fries and a fruit cup. Extra banquet tickets for adult ($35) and child ($20) guests can be purchased using the online registration form.
Our field trip on the afternoon of Thursday, July 27 will be to the beautiful Enchanted Forest Sanctuary in Titusville, Florida. Tickets are only $20 each and include transportation and a boxed lunch! Only 40 tickets are available for this unique opportunity.
If you do not want to pay for your extra banquet or field trip ticket(s) using a credit card, please select the number of tickets you want and then choose your preferred method of offline payment. If you are paying for your extra banquet or field trip ticket(s) separately from your registration fee, please fill out separate online forms for your registration fee and ticket(s).
Remember to reserve your room at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne - Oceanfront no later than July 3. If you reserve your hotel room now, we will be able to determine if we need to open additional rooms at the group rate, and can ensure that everyone who needs a room gets one! Please be considerate to your fellow attendees and reserve your room as soon as possible. Mention the group code "SIC" (or "SIG" for federal employees) when booking your hotel reservation by phone (321-777-4100) to get the special rate of $119.00 per night plus tax ($113.00 per night for federal government employees with valid ID at check-in). Remember, this low rate is valid only for the first 75 rooms (first 30 on Monday, July 24). Please go to http://www.sfiwc.org/2017-meeting/ for details.
Self-parking is available for $5 per day (for overnight guests).
Meeting details are available on http://www.sfiwc.org/2017-meeting/.
I hope to see you in Melbourne!
William P. Shepherd, SFIWC Secretary-Treasurer
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
Dear friends and colleagues,
after receiving numerous requests, we are happy to announce an extension of
the abstract submission deadline until the 31st of May 2017. Here
<http://mailchi.mp/ed5b6e9658dd/only-3-days-left-for-the-abstract-submission…>
you
can find many more information about the upcoming Joint Meeting of IUFRO
WPs 7.03.05 & 7.03.10 that will take place in Thessaloniki this September.
So be sure to visit our website at www.iufrogreece2017.com and participate
in this exciting meeting...!
Looking forward to welcoming you here in Thessaloniki,
With kind regards
Dimitrios N. Avtzis
Leader of the Organizing Committee
--
[image: www.iufrogreece2017.com] <http://www.iufrogreece2017.com>
Dear friends and colleagues,
with this email we would like to inform you that there are only 3 days left
for the Abstract Submission Deadline of the upcoming IUFRO WP7.03.05 &
7.03.10 Joint Meeting "*Forest Insects and Pathogens in a Changing
Environment: Ecology, Monitoring & Genetics"* that will be held in
Thessaloniki. Here
<http://mailchi.mp/78c01ec63e18/only-3-days-left-for-the-abstract-submission…>
you
can find more information online and some tempting details about the
excursion in Mount Olympus, which will also take place during the conference
...!
You can always search for more details and information in our web site (
www.iufrogreece2017.com) but also feel free to contact us for any comments
and questions.
Looking forward to welcoming you here for an unforgettable meeting,
With kind regards,
Dimitrios N. Avtzis
Leader of the Organizing Committee
--
[image: www.iufrogreece2017.com] <http://www.iufrogreece2017.com>
Dear Forent members
the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL fills the position of the head of a newly created research unit on forest health. Please find more information in the attachment. Thank you for disseminating.
Best wishes
Beat Wermelinger
---------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Beat Wermelinger
Entomologist
Swiss Federal Institute WSL
Zürcherstrasse 111
CH-8903 Birmensdorf
Switzerland
Tel: +41 44 739 22 58
beat.wermelinger(a)wsl.ch
www.waldinsekten.ch
Hi all,
We have a great postdoctoral fellowship opportunity here at Scion.
Please feel free to share!
https://careers.sciencenewzealand.org/jobdetails/ajid/e6Gc8/Postdoctoral-Fe…
Many thanks
Beccy
Rebecca (Beccy) Ganley, Ph.D.
Pathology Research Leader, Forest Protection
Scion
49 Sala Street, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand
DDI +64 7 343 5767| Mobile 0212133876
beccy.ganley(a)scionresearch.com<mailto:rebecca.ganley@scionresearch.com>
[Scion logo]
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This email and any attachments are intended solely for the addressees named above. It may contain information which is legally privileged, confidential or subject to copyright. Any unauthorised review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please delete it. As part of Scion's cyber security policy, Scion's IT systems are subject to ongoing monitoring, activity logging and auditing, and may include 3rd party monitoring on our behalf.
Dear colleagues,
Please find enclosed the prolonged announcement for a full
Professorship in Forest Entomology and Forest Pathology at the
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). The
German and the English version of the invitation are available in
pdf-format (see attached files).
For more information about this position, please contact the Head of
Department Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Karl Stampfer, Department of Forest and
Soil Sciences , telephone +43-1-47654-91501, e-Mail:
karl.stampfer(a)boku.ac.at.
Additional information about the University of Natural Resources and
Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) can be found at http://www.boku.ac.at
The Institute of Forest Entomology, Forest Pathology and Forest
Protection web page can be found at http://www.wabo.boku.ac.at/ifff
With best regards
Erhard Halmschlager
Ao. Univ. Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Erhard Halmschlager
Institute of Forest Entomology, Forest Pathology and Forest Protection
Dept. of Forest and Soil Sciences
BOKU-University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
Peter Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria
Tel.: +43 1/47654-91620
