Biodiv Sci ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (2): 24370.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2024370  cstr: 32101.14.biods.2024370

• Original Papers: Animal Diversity • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Species diversity and geographic distribution of poplar pests in China

Shang Huadan, Zhang Chuqing, Wang Mei, Pei Wenya, Li Guohong, Wang Hongbin*()()   

  1. Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Forest Protection, Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
  • Received:2024-08-18 Accepted:2024-12-03 Online:2025-02-20 Published:2025-02-21
  • Contact: *E-mail: wanghb@caf.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    Fundamental Research Funds of CAF(CAFYBB2020ZD001);Fundamental Research Funds of CAF(CAFYBB2024QG005);Fundamental Research Funds of CAF(CAFYBB2024MA009)

Abstract:

Aims: The purpose of this study is to clarify the species diversity of poplar pests and their geographic distribution characteristics in China.

Methods: Based on the constructed database of Chinese poplar pest species, we comprehensively analyzed the species composition, damage types, and geographic distribution of poplar pests.

Result: There are 1,674 species of poplar pests across 9 orders and 126 families documented in China, with Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera being the dominant groups. In terms of damage types, leaf pests have the highest species count at 1,058, while nursery and root pests have the lowest at 173 species. However, the latter exhibit more evenly distributed species composition and the highest diversity. From the perspective of hosts, the Leuce poplar group harbors the most pest species at 1,258, but these pests show the lowest species diversity and evenness. In contrast, pests associated with the Leucoides and Turanga poplar groups are fewer in number at 20 and 44 species, respectively, but display higher diversity and evenness. Regarding geographical distribution breadth, the number of poplar pest species gradually decreases as the number of provinces or districts increases. Over 70% of pests are confined to less than half of Chinese provinces or districts, whereas major destructive pest species are distributed nearly nationwide.

Conclusion: Poplar pest distribution in China exhibits pronounced geographical disparities, with higher species richness in eastern provinces and regions east of the “Hu Huanyong Line”. Through cluster analysis, the geographical distribution of poplar pests can be divided into six taxa, and different taxa show strong geographical similarity. Our findings provide critical theoretical foundations for advancing targeted and science-based pest management strategies in poplar ecosystems.

Key words: poplar pests, species diversity, distribution, cluster analysis