Landscape-level spatiotemporal patterns of Dendrolimus punctatus Walker and its driving forces: evidence from a Pinus massoniana forest

摘要

Key message The spatiotemporal patterns and strength of Dendrolimus punctatus Walker attacks were identified at the landscape level. Climate factors influenced pest damage more than stand or topographic factors. Dendrolimus punctatus Walker (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) routinely infests pine species in southern China and inflicts heavy damage on resources or monetary earnings. Evidence is required to facilitate a better understanding of spatiotemporal infestation patterns at the landscape level and the influence of various factors on its outbreaks from multiple spheres. We quantified the landscape-level spatiotemporal pattern of D. punctatus occurrence and examined the impacts of climate, stand and topographical factors on pest infestations in a Pinus massoniana natural forest in a mixed world heritage site in southeastern China. Our findings indicated that pest infestations had a relatively strong temporal continuity and a weak spatially aggregated distribution at a landscape level. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that climate variables had a greater influence on the degree of damage caused by D. punctatus infestations than stand or topographical variables. A decrease in annual average precipitation or humidity may cause an increased risk of pest outbreaks.