Adapting to change: exploring the distribution dynamics of the alien and potentially invasive aphid species Cinara curvipes (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the context of global warming

This study investigates the potential ecological niche and distribution of the Nearctic bow-legged fir aphid, Cinara curvipes, an alien and potentially invasive species, across Europe. Utilising climate modelling based on climatic preferences in its native range, we assess the suitability of Europea...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: K. Wieczorek, A. Bugaj-Nawrocka, B. Borowiak-Sobkowiak, A. Endrestøl, H. P. Ravn, W. Solarz, R. Durak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:The European Zoological Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/24750263.2024.2449152
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832582699568594944
author K. Wieczorek
A. Bugaj-Nawrocka
B. Borowiak-Sobkowiak
A. Endrestøl
H. P. Ravn
W. Solarz
R. Durak
author_facet K. Wieczorek
A. Bugaj-Nawrocka
B. Borowiak-Sobkowiak
A. Endrestøl
H. P. Ravn
W. Solarz
R. Durak
author_sort K. Wieczorek
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the potential ecological niche and distribution of the Nearctic bow-legged fir aphid, Cinara curvipes, an alien and potentially invasive species, across Europe. Utilising climate modelling based on climatic preferences in its native range, we assess the suitability of European climates for facilitating the spread of this aphid. Coupled with the presence of suitable host plants, mostly firs (Abies spp.) or cedars (Cedrus spp.), there is potential for the bow-legged fir aphid to extend its range across most European regions, with projections suggesting potential expansion into Asia Minor. Furthermore, future climate scenarios predict a northward expansion of suitable habitats for this aphid species, confirmed by its detection in Denmark and Norway. Our research reveals that C. curvipes displays notably higher fecundity compared to its Cinara genus counterparts. Specifically, wingless viviparous females of this species achieve peak fecundity at lower temperatures (10–15°C), explaining their spring mass appearances. At 25°C, nymphs fail to moult or reach maturity, leading to summer population declines. Unique survival mechanisms, including the production of numerous winged morphs under overcrowded conditions, enable rapid dispersal facilitated by human-mediated transport, notably through the “Christmas trees” trade. Its high reproductive output allows the species to quickly colonise new habitats and exploit available resources, contributing to its potential invasiveness. We emphasise the critical need for collaborative engagement among researchers, stakeholders, and the public to bolster citizen science initiatives and reinforce environmental monitoring networks, all within the framework of an early detection and rapid response (EDRR) process. This collaborative approach is vital for effective environmental management and mitigating potential invasive threats.
format Article
id doaj-art-9a5f85d79afd4483b95e44b137932ae5
institution Kabale University
issn 2475-0263
language English
publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series The European Zoological Journal
spelling doaj-art-9a5f85d79afd4483b95e44b137932ae52025-01-29T12:39:40ZengTaylor & Francis GroupThe European Zoological Journal2475-02632025-12-0192125827910.1080/24750263.2024.2449152Adapting to change: exploring the distribution dynamics of the alien and potentially invasive aphid species Cinara curvipes (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the context of global warmingK. Wieczorek0A. Bugaj-Nawrocka1B. Borowiak-Sobkowiak2A. Endrestøl3H. P. Ravn4W. Solarz5R. Durak6Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, PolandInstitute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, PolandDepartment of Entomology and Environmental Protection, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, PolandNorwegian Institute for Nature Research, Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, DenmarkInstitute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, PolandInstitute of Biology, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, PolandThis study investigates the potential ecological niche and distribution of the Nearctic bow-legged fir aphid, Cinara curvipes, an alien and potentially invasive species, across Europe. Utilising climate modelling based on climatic preferences in its native range, we assess the suitability of European climates for facilitating the spread of this aphid. Coupled with the presence of suitable host plants, mostly firs (Abies spp.) or cedars (Cedrus spp.), there is potential for the bow-legged fir aphid to extend its range across most European regions, with projections suggesting potential expansion into Asia Minor. Furthermore, future climate scenarios predict a northward expansion of suitable habitats for this aphid species, confirmed by its detection in Denmark and Norway. Our research reveals that C. curvipes displays notably higher fecundity compared to its Cinara genus counterparts. Specifically, wingless viviparous females of this species achieve peak fecundity at lower temperatures (10–15°C), explaining their spring mass appearances. At 25°C, nymphs fail to moult or reach maturity, leading to summer population declines. Unique survival mechanisms, including the production of numerous winged morphs under overcrowded conditions, enable rapid dispersal facilitated by human-mediated transport, notably through the “Christmas trees” trade. Its high reproductive output allows the species to quickly colonise new habitats and exploit available resources, contributing to its potential invasiveness. We emphasise the critical need for collaborative engagement among researchers, stakeholders, and the public to bolster citizen science initiatives and reinforce environmental monitoring networks, all within the framework of an early detection and rapid response (EDRR) process. This collaborative approach is vital for effective environmental management and mitigating potential invasive threats.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/24750263.2024.2449152“Christmas trees” tradecitizen sciencedemographic parametersLachninaemass outbreaks
spellingShingle K. Wieczorek
A. Bugaj-Nawrocka
B. Borowiak-Sobkowiak
A. Endrestøl
H. P. Ravn
W. Solarz
R. Durak
Adapting to change: exploring the distribution dynamics of the alien and potentially invasive aphid species Cinara curvipes (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the context of global warming
The European Zoological Journal
“Christmas trees” trade
citizen science
demographic parameters
Lachninae
mass outbreaks
title Adapting to change: exploring the distribution dynamics of the alien and potentially invasive aphid species Cinara curvipes (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the context of global warming
title_full Adapting to change: exploring the distribution dynamics of the alien and potentially invasive aphid species Cinara curvipes (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the context of global warming
title_fullStr Adapting to change: exploring the distribution dynamics of the alien and potentially invasive aphid species Cinara curvipes (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the context of global warming
title_full_unstemmed Adapting to change: exploring the distribution dynamics of the alien and potentially invasive aphid species Cinara curvipes (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the context of global warming
title_short Adapting to change: exploring the distribution dynamics of the alien and potentially invasive aphid species Cinara curvipes (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the context of global warming
title_sort adapting to change exploring the distribution dynamics of the alien and potentially invasive aphid species cinara curvipes hemiptera aphididae in the context of global warming
topic “Christmas trees” trade
citizen science
demographic parameters
Lachninae
mass outbreaks
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/24750263.2024.2449152
work_keys_str_mv AT kwieczorek adaptingtochangeexploringthedistributiondynamicsofthealienandpotentiallyinvasiveaphidspeciescinaracurvipeshemipteraaphididaeinthecontextofglobalwarming
AT abugajnawrocka adaptingtochangeexploringthedistributiondynamicsofthealienandpotentiallyinvasiveaphidspeciescinaracurvipeshemipteraaphididaeinthecontextofglobalwarming
AT bborowiaksobkowiak adaptingtochangeexploringthedistributiondynamicsofthealienandpotentiallyinvasiveaphidspeciescinaracurvipeshemipteraaphididaeinthecontextofglobalwarming
AT aendrestøl adaptingtochangeexploringthedistributiondynamicsofthealienandpotentiallyinvasiveaphidspeciescinaracurvipeshemipteraaphididaeinthecontextofglobalwarming
AT hpravn adaptingtochangeexploringthedistributiondynamicsofthealienandpotentiallyinvasiveaphidspeciescinaracurvipeshemipteraaphididaeinthecontextofglobalwarming
AT wsolarz adaptingtochangeexploringthedistributiondynamicsofthealienandpotentiallyinvasiveaphidspeciescinaracurvipeshemipteraaphididaeinthecontextofglobalwarming
AT rdurak adaptingtochangeexploringthedistributiondynamicsofthealienandpotentiallyinvasiveaphidspeciescinaracurvipeshemipteraaphididaeinthecontextofglobalwarming