Activity 4
Mountain pine beetle eastern spread-risk: Beetle physiology and behaviour as drivers of spread
Goal: Determine how overwintering temperatures and pine host attributes in the expanded range influence mountain pine beetle fitness, dynamics and local adaptation.
To develop an understanding of the role of beetle physiology and behaviour in driving potential eastern mountain pine beetle spread, we are determining how overwintering temperatures and pine host attributes in these marginal habitats affect mountain pine beetle fitness, and analyzing mountain pine beetle populations for genomic signatures of adaptation to these novel habitats. Mountain pine beetle host-influenced trait information is also being used in development of the mountain pine beetle eastern spread risk model.
Deliverables related to Activities 3 & 4:
Relative mountain pine beetle spread-risk ratings for novel habitats based on spread-risk models and risk maps developed using pine host genetic attributes (1) and mountain pine beetle host-influenced overwintering and chemical ecology attributes (2) to predict eastward and northward spread through the Boreal forest
Mechanistically informed models to predict survival, dispersal ability and fecundity of mountain pine beetle living in and beyond their current range
Population genomic evidence for the degree of rapid mountain pine beetle adaptation to novel habitats
![A flying mountain pine beetle attached to a tether, ready to mount on a flight mill. Credit: Yiyang Wu](https://tria-for.ualberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/81/elementor/thumbs/MPB-Fly-with-a-tether-qfznibh9tv9h6izvunfgmkw49ny8h9korf3z3mcmuk.jpeg)
![Close-up of a mountain pine beetle. Credit: Yiyang Wu](https://tria-for.ualberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/81/elementor/thumbs/MPB-pic-scaled-qfznjgu66ku3ddbt55b1oageemadvy4vl3tc7snb8s.jpg)
![Mountain pine beetle embryo still in its egg shell. Credit: Antonia Musso](https://tria-for.ualberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/81/elementor/thumbs/Embryo-still-in-egg-shell-slightly-sclerotized-mandibles-qfznl0andsy0ed395ba19eglgcp1i391gqazj4d31o.jpg)
![A lodgepole pine bolt infested with mountain pine beetle, with characteristic blue stain from fungal growth. Credit: Antonia Musso](https://tria-for.ualberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/81/elementor/thumbs/IMG_6741-scaled-qfznu2gn9bcib1xh8q9ksm5jl21ep27wdkoh24xh2k.jpeg)
![Bolts are stored in bins. When they emerge, mountain pine beetle are attracted to light and will collect in the clear jars attached. Credit: Antonia Musso](https://tria-for.ualberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/81/elementor/thumbs/IMG_6725-scaled-qfznpiwq854m6wj1rrkhqrfc80fjhq6lr35zjznz58.jpeg)
![Measuring volatiles during mountain pine beetle introduction to the host pine. Credit: Antonia Musso](https://tria-for.ualberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/81/elementor/thumbs/IMG_7142-scaled-qfznpyvzgbqho9vu6gh5f5e6bk8s4ky1ha98pp0a7g.jpg)
![Measuring volatiles during mountain pine beetle introduction to the host pine. Credit: Antonia Musso](https://tria-for.ualberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/81/elementor/thumbs/71573287113__711DCB62-4FA9-4336-9DFF-29EEF4A72E9B-scaled-qfznp9icbsrqyswpani81tsqa5pvcr5adsn4r81wvg.jpg)