Andrzej Szczepkowski

Saproxylic moths reveal complex within-group and group-environment patterns

We investigated saproxylic moths of the family Tineidae, a neglected group inhabiting wood-decaying fungi and dead wood, within the Białowieża Primeval Forest in Poland. Study data were obtained from the collection of 280 fruiting bodies of wood-decaying fungi and the subsequent rearing of adults. Spatial and statistical distribution of saproxylic moths, relationship among species and the influence of environment reflected by interaction with tree and fungal species together with tree and stand level characteristics were studied. Fifteen species and 533 individuals of saproxylic moths were reared. The fungal species, number of fruiting bodies and standing position of a tree influenced species richness. Moth abundance was influenced by fungal species, coniferous trees, increasing tree diameter, number of fruiting bodies and brown rot. Moth abundance was also enhanced by standing dead trees located in managed forests with higher canopy closure. Analyses indicate that several moth species favor a particular rot type and that some fungi host a richer fauna than others. Furthermore, our results indicate mutually independent fungal colonization events by saproxylic moth species, and thus a possible mechanism exists for competition avoidance with other saproxylic moths. Saproxylic moths revealed complex within-group patterns that responded differently to environmental variables. Thus, potential conservation of these organisms requires various approaches including ecosystem management, especially in the context of addressing their diverse habitat requirements.

Fungus moths (Lepidoptera, Tineidae) of the Bialowieza Forest

Abstract New records for twenty species of saproxylic tineid moths (Lepidoptera, Tineidae) from the Białowieża Forest (NE Poland) are presented. Most species were recorded on the basis of laboratory breeding of the adult moths from the sporocarps of wood-decaying fungi inhabited by the larvae. Some species were captured using barrier traps or were collected at light. One species, Dryadaula irinae (Savenkov, 1989), is recorded for the first time from Poland and three others, Nemaxera betulinella (Paykull, 1785), Nemapogon fungivorella (Benander, 1939) and Elatobia fuliginosella Lienig & Zeller, 1846, are recognized as new for the fauna of the Białowieża Forest. The current distribution in Poland of each species is briefly discussed, and some remarks on its biology are given

Greenhouses of botanical gardens as a habitat of alien and native macrofungi: a case study in Poland

In 2010, 16 macrofungi species were found in greenhouses of the Botanical Garden in Warsaw-Powsin. These included 8 species of lepiotaceous fungi and a few species known from warmer areas. For 3 species identified, which are new to Poland (Agaricus subrufescens, Leucocoprinus heinemannii, Marasmius teplicensis), a description is given, with drawings of their microscopic features and photographs. Species composition of macrofungi is compared in 5 complexes of greenhouses (Bayreuth, Graz, Jena, Paskov, Warsaw) in 4 countries from Central Europe. The total number of species in these 5 studies is 206, including 27 (13.2%) lepiotaceous fungi. The smallest number of species identified was in Warsaw (16). More than twice this number was recorded in Jena (33) and Graz (34), while the richest fungal biotas were in Bayreuth (79) and Paskov (88). Of the 16 species found in Warsaw, 8 were also found in other greenhouses. In the group of 33 species recorded in at least two complexes of greenhouses, the most abundant were the lepiotaceous fungi (39.4%) and mycenaceous fungi (15.1%). Leucocoprinus cepistipes and L. straminellus were recorded most often, in 4 of the 5 studied greenhouse complexes. CCA analysis demonstrated that the highest impact on species diversity is the area of greenhouses.

Insects found on black alder Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. when stands are dying back

Abstract The study gives information on insects living on the black alder Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. in those 57 alder stands which exhibited the most severe signs of dying back. The surveys revealed the presence of 28 species of insects belonging to various different orders. The most common species were Agelastica alni, Xiphydria camelus,Xyleborinus attenuatus (Bland.) (=X. alni Nissima) and Saperda scalaris. It seems that none of the species of insects identified would be expected to cause die back of alder over a large area. However, it was confirmed that insects do participate in the process of dying back of alder stands.

The dynamics of sprouts generation and colonization by macrofungi of black cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh. eliminated mechanically in the Kampinos National Park

Abstract The experiment conducted in the Kampinos National Park since 2015 is aimed at investigating the relationship between the dynamics of black cherry sprouting response and the type and term of implementation of the mechanical elimination procedure. It also identifies macrofungi colonizing trees undergoing eradication. Three treatments, basal cut-stump, cutting (height: ca. 1 m) and girdling, were performed on 4 terms: early and late spring, summer and winter. Each variant was conducted within two plots, and applied to 25 trees, to 600 trees in total. For two consecutive vegetation seasons, sprouts were removed approximately every 8 weeks with the exception of winter-treated trees. Qualitative data were analysed, that is, the number of trees with and without sprouts at subsequent controls, and at the end of the second season, except winter-treated trees. Initially, almost 100% of the trees cut at the base and cut high responded by sprouting. The share of trees without sprouts gradually increased during the following vegetation season, from 3rd to 5th repetition of the sprouts removal, depending on the variant of experiment. Girdling contributed to a delay in sprouting. The effectiveness of procedures, expressed as share of trees without sprouts at the end of the second vegetation season, ranged widely (12%–84%), and depended statistically significantly on the date of the treatment. The effectiveness was higher for treatments done in early (average 68%) and late spring (average 74%), as compared to those done in summer (average 35%). Mycological research concerned 600 trees, including those treated in winter, without sprouts removal. Occurrence of 26 taxa of macrofungi was confirmed on 25% of trees; most of them having wood-decaying properties. Chondrostereum purpureum was most frequent, colonizing 9% of trees. Impact of plots varying soil moisture on succession and rate of fungi colonization, and on sprouting response dynamics requires further research.