Biology subjects

Roques, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Roques, A..

7 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Flight performance of the highly invasive box tree moth Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The multivoltine non-native box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), was accidentally introduced in several continents and exhibited a very rapid expansion in its invaded ranges, colonising around 40 countries in less than twenty years. Initially observed in urban areas, it quickly spread to forest stands, causing significant damage to boxwood trees. If the role of the ornamental plant trade in its fast invasion has been investigated, the insects flight capabilities has thus far been overlooked, limiting estimations of its natural dispersal. In this context, we assessed the flight performance of the adults and investigated potential effects of sex, age and generation using computer-monitored flight mills. Under these controled conditions, we estimated the distance flown per night and over the adults lifespan in both sexes for each generation. The adults were able to fly on average 18 km within their lifespan, even though distances flown were highly variable, including several females capable of performing long-distance flights (up to 150 km). The distances covered were partly correlated with the age and body mass of the adults. Mated females flew longer distances than virgin ones, but long dispersal seemed to limit their fecundity. Finally, the overwintering generation presented the highest flight capabilities with individuals able to cover 22 km on average while the late summer generation covered only 10 km. The box tree moth showed good dispersal abilities that likely played a significant role in its rapid local expansion, while human-mediated dispersal favoured its long-distance dispersal.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

From forest decline to salvage logging: cascading impacts on saproxylic beetle diversity

Understanding the cascading effects of forest decline on saproxylic communities is fundamental for optimizing the management of disturbed forests toward biodiversity conservation objectives. We postulated that the nature and intensity of cascading pathways would vary along decline gradients, encompassing stages from stand decline to mortality and subsequent salvage logging, as mediated by shifts in habitat conditions and resource availability. This study was conducted across three representative European forest contexts: fir forests in the French Pyrenees, spruce forests in the Bavarian Alps, and oak forests in the lowlands of the Loire Valley. Within these systems, we assessed how the taxonomic and functional -diversity of saproxylic beetles responded to variations in both the diversity and density of deadwood and tree-related microhabitats (TreMs). Our analyses identified key cascading effects of stand decline and mortality that were shaped by the considered beetle guild and by the forest type, reflecting tree species-specific disturbance legacies. Stand decline and mortality produced distinct responses within saproxylic beetle assemblages, as different successional guilds preferentially utilized either dying or dead trees. The overall influence of decline processes was positive in conifer-dominated forests. TreMs played a central role in mediating cascading processes structuring saproxylic beetle communities throughout the forest decline continuum. The increase in TreM heterogeneity associated with stand decline or mortality enhanced saproxylic diversity, with exposed wood and trunk injuries identified as particularly influential microhabitats. Snags and large deadwood elements, especially in spruce forests, and deadwood diversity further contributed to sustaining high levels of beetle diversity. Conversely, salvage logging exerted detrimental effects on numerous guilds, primarily through reductions in TreM diversity, decreased TreM trait dispersion, and the depletion of saproxylic TreMs. Given the pronounced context dependency of the processes driving these cascading community dynamics, and considering the increasing frequency, severity, and spatial extent of forest disturbances and global forest decline, it is imperative to integrate this complexity into management and conservation frameworks. Addressing these mechanisms with greater precision will be critical for maintaining functional biodiversity within rapidly changing forest ecosystems.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Preventing unintentional bat captures in canopy traps used for insect surveys

There is growing interest in deploying insect traps in forest canopies for ecological research, invasive species surveillance, and biodiversity monitoring. However, forest canopies also harbor a diverse and abundant bat community, which may be incidentally trapped and killed by these devices. In this study, we investigated the impact of flight interception traps and multi-funnel traps deployed in oak canopies on incidental bat captures, and evaluated whether trap modifications could reduce this bycatch. We also examined how these modifications influenced the species richness, abundance, and mean body size of several beetle taxa, including Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Cetoniinae, and Scolytinae. Both trap types captured bats. Flight interception traps accidentally caught seven species - Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis mystacinus, Nyctalus noctula, Nyctalus leisleri, Plecotus auritus, and Pipistrellus pipistrellus - with an average of 0.42 bats per trap. Multi-funnel traps primarily caught males of P. pipistrellus, with an average of 0.29 bats per trap. Adding a 13-mm mesh above the collection container significantly reduced bat bycatch to 0.02 and 0.05 bats per trap in flight interception traps and multi-funnel traps, respectively. This modification had no significant effect on insect species richness or mean body size, although it did reduce Cerambycidae and Scolytinae abundance in black multi-funnel and flight interception traps, respectively. This was likely due to more frequent clogging by twigs and leaves. We recommend modifying flight interception and multi-funnel traps deployed in forest canopies to prevent unintentional harm to protected bat species.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

The worldwide invasion history of a pest ambrosia beetle inferred using population genomics

Xylosandrus crassiusculus, a fungus-farming wood borer native to Southeastern Asia, is the most rapidly spreading invasive ambrosia species worldwide. Previous studies focusing on its genetic structure suggested the existence of cryptic genetic variation in this species. Yet, these studies used different genetic markers, focused on different geographical areas, and did not include Europe. Our first goal was to determine the worldwide genetic structure of this species based on both mitochondrial and genomic markers. Our second goal was to study X. crassiusculus invasion history on a global level and identify the origins of the invasion in Europe. We used a COI and RAD sequencing design to characterize 188 and 206 specimens worldwide, building the most comprehensive genetic dataset for any ambrosia beetle to date. The results were largely consistent between markers. Two differentiated genetic clusters were invasive, albeit in different regions of the world. The two markers were inconsistent only for a few specimens found exclusively in Japan. Mainland USA could have acted as a source for further expansion to Canada and Argentina through stepping-stone expansion and bridgehead events. We showed that Europe was only colonized by Cluster 2 through a complex invasion history including several arrivals from multiple origins in the native area, and possibly including bridgehead from the USA. Our results also suggested that Spain was colonized directly from Italy through intracontinental dispersion. It is unclear whether the mutually exclusive allopatric distribution of the two Clusters is due to neutral effects or due to different ecological requirements.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2023

Drivers of asymmetrical insect invasions between three world regions

The geographical exchange of non-native insects can be highly asymmetrical, with some world regions exporting or importing more species than others. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain such asymmetries, including differences in propagule pressure, environmental features in recipient regions, or biological traits of invaders. We tested aspects of these hypotheses in the context of the exchange of non-native insects between North America, Europe, and Australasia. Europe was the dominant exporter of non-native insect species between the three regions, with most of this asymmetry arising prior to 1950. The European dominance could not be explained by differences in import value, source species pool sizes, or native plant richness in the recipient regions. We identified that the introduction of non-native plants, driven in part by European colonization, best explains the asymmetrical exchange of non-native insects between our focal regions.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2022

Fewer non-native insects in freshwater than in terrestrial habitats across continents

AimBiological invasions are a major threat to biodiversity in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Insects represent an important group of species in freshwater and terrestrial habitats, and they constitute a large proportion of non-native species. However, while many non-native insects are known from terrestrial ecosystems, it remains unclear how they are represented in freshwater habitats. Comparisons of the richness of invaders relative to the richness of native species between freshwater and terrestrial habitats are scarce, which hinders syntheses of invasion processes. Here, we used data from three regions on different continents to determine whether non-native insects are under- or overrepresented in freshwater compared to terrestrial assemblages. LocationEurope, North America, New Zealand MethodsWe compiled a comprehensive inventory of the native and non-native insect species established in freshwater and terrestrial habitats of the three study regions. We then contrasted the richness of non-native and native species among freshwater and terrestrial insects for all insect orders in each region. Using binomial regression, we analysed the proportions of non-native species in freshwater and terrestrial habitats across the three regions. ResultsIn most insect orders living in freshwater, non-native species were under-represented, while they were over-represented in a number of terrestrial orders. This pattern occurred in purely aquatic orders as well as in orders with both freshwater and terrestrial species. Overall, the proportion of non-native species was significantly lower in freshwater than in terrestrial species. Main conclusionsDespite the numerical and ecological importance of insects among all non-native species, non-native insect species are surprisingly rare in freshwater habitats, and this pattern is consistent across the three investigated study regions. We briefly review hypotheses concerning species traits and invasion pathways that are most likely to explain these patterns. Our findings contribute to a growing appreciation of drivers and impacts of biological invasions.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

Diapause regulation in newly invaded environments: termination timing allows matching novel climatic constraints in the box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The association between indirect environmental cues that modulate insect diapause and the actual stressors is by no means granted when a species encounters new environments. The box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis, is an Asian pest whose rapid invasion in Europe cause considerable economic and ecological impacts. Larvae enter a winter diapause induced by photoperiod in both native and invaded ranges, but factors that trigger the return to an active phase are still unknown. Yet, identifying them is crucial to understand how diapause end synchronizes with the end of the winter stress encountered in Europe. To test whether activity resumption is regulated by thermal and/or photoperiodic thresholds, or additive effects between these factors often involved in diapause termination, diapausing caterpillars from an invaded area were exposed to crossed treatments at the laboratory. The evolution of diapause rate was monitored over time and compared to that of nearby field sites invaded. A strong positive effect of increasing temperature was found on the rate and dynamics of diapause termination, whereas no compelling effect of photoperiod appeared. Resuming development directly when main stressors fade, not in response to indirect photoperiodic cues that could be mismatched outside native areas, likely contributes to the good match observed between diapause and the new climates this pest encountered in the invaded range.

zoology↗