This study aimed to verify the level of repellent and mortality effect of two chemical substances (DEET and 2-undecanone) and seven essential oils (EOs), Allium sativum, Artemisia annua, Ocimum basilicum, Lavandula angustifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus sylvestris, and Curcuma longa. The storage pests Tribolium confusum, Tenebrio molitor, and Acanthoscelides obtectus were exposed to various concentrations in an olfactometer-and-mortality test. The effects were recorded 24–48–72 h after the treatments were applied. A. sativum, E. globulus, and L. augustifolia were found to have significant repellence effects. A substantial lethal effect was observed for A. sativum, E. globulus, and O. basilicum. We also found that even if the most efficient EOs were diluted to low concentrations, they still produced repellent and mortality effects. The presented results indicate that A. sativum and O. basilicum were the most effective against T. confusum and T. molitor; simultaneously, L. angustifolia and C. longa showed high activity against A. obtectus. All of these efficient EOs could be applied as effective bio-control agents in various stored conditions.

Insect adipokinetic hormones (AKHs) are neuropeptides with a wide range of actions, including the control of insect energy metabolism. These hormones are also known to be involved in the insect defence system against toxins and pathogens. In this study, our aim was to demonstrate whether the application of external AKHs significantly enhances the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea in a model species (firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus) and pest species (Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis and pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum). It was found that the co-application of Isaria with AKHs significantly enhanced insect mortality in comparison to the application of Isaria alone. The mode of action probably involves an increase in metabolism that is caused by AKHs (evidenced by the production of carbon dioxide), which accelerates the turnover of Isaria toxins produced into the infected insects. However, several species-specific differences probably exist. Intoxication by Isaria elicited the stimulation of Akh gene expression and synthesis of AKHs. Therefore, all interactions between Isaria and AKH actions as well as their impact on insect physiology from a theoretical and practical point of view need to be discussed further.

Climatic extremes have been gathering momentum since the 1880s and are believed to be a long-term factor increasing the mortality of Scots pine trees, Pinus sylvestris (L.) in Europe. Weather monitoring over the past 120 years shows that, in Central Europe, surface air temperatures grow at a rate of 0.18°C per decade. Many changes due to these abiotic stressors are already visible in the forests’ canopy and biodiversity. But the influence of the rise in temperature and in precipitation deficiency brings one more player into this die-back scheme. Bark beetles, and their increasing outbreaks, are further agents acting to accelerate and expand the impacts of weather on trees. While P. sylvestris react to abiotic stressors by decreasing functions of the hydraulic system, mainly the defense system, for bark beetles, warming is a profitable condition. Various bionomy processes are modified: vegetation seasons prolong, larval growth and development rates accelerate, reproductive potential rises, and overwintering success increases. Thus, the insect populations grow, and the infestation pressure on weakened hosts intensifies. Finally, even species of small ecologic importance can cause extensive losses of forest cover. Furthermore, international trade and intercontinental transportation support the potential threat of spreading forest pests far away from their original geographic range. Together with climatic amelioration, pests may adapt to new conditions, establish new prosperous populations, disperse rapidly, and cause prodigious losses. However, detailed information about cambioxylophagous pests on P. sylvestris in Central Europe is still missing. The purpose of our review is to map the bionomy and behavior of six bark beetle species—in particular, the sharp-dentated bark beetle, Ips acuminatus (Gyllenhal, 1827), the six-toothed bark beetle, Ips sexdentatus (Börner, 1767), the common pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda (Linnaeus, 1758), the lesser pine shoot beetle, Tomicus minor (Hartig, 1834), the pine shoot beetle, Tomicus destruens (Wollaston, 1865), the Mediterranean pine engraver, Orthotomicus erosus (Wollaston, 1857) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), and the steel-blue jewel beetle, Phaenops cyanea (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)—on P. sylvestris in Central Europe, to compare and summarize the available data on European populations, and to try to propose ideas and directions for future research.

Recently, an outbreak of Ips sexdentatus (Börner, 1776) has caused considerable damage in the pine forests of the Czech Republic. As historical data on the biology of this pest are scarce due to its rare occurrence in recent decades, our work focused on monitoring flight activity and voltinism and investigating methods for monitoring its activity during the growing season. Observations were conducted from March to September 2021 and 2022 at three sites using 12 Theysohn traps with four types of pheromone lures (ACUMIPROTECT, ACUWIT, SEXOWIT and Pheagr IAC) together with data loggers to record weather conditions. The first beetles occurred in early May (daily mean temperatures above 13 °C). After the first egg laying stage, females re-emerged to establish a sister brood. The maximum flight activity appeared between late June and mid-July (daily mean temperatures about 20 °C), and the offspring occurred at the turn of June/July and in the first half of August. Since then, flight activity had a downward trend and quietened in September. According to the data, monitoring of I. sexdentatus should be conducted between May and September using the ACUMIPROTECT pheromone bait exhibiting the highest capturing efficacy. In future, however, the behavior of I. sexdentatus might alter due to climate change.

Ips acuminatus is a bark beetle species that is becoming increasingly important in Central Europe, yet its phenology and reproductive patterns remain insufficiently described. Understanding its life cycle and sex ratio dynamics is essential for effective monitoring and forest protection. The study was conducted over two consecutive seasons (2021–2022) in pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) stands in the Czech Republic using Theysohn® pheromone traps baited with various attractants (including ACP and PH). Flight activity, sex ratio and mating success were recorded and analysed throughout the seasons. A univoltine life cycle was observed, with a sharp, synchronized emergence in spring, occurring in late May and June. No second generation developed, although a minor emergence in midsummer suggested limited partial brood. Sex ratios varied seasonally, with males predominating in early spring and shifting toward female bias later in the season. Baits containing cis‐verbenol and α‐pinene attracted significantly more females, indicating a possible trap bias. More than 90% of females were mated, despite a lower presence of males. These results suggest that I. acuminatus maintains a univoltine life cycle in Central Europe. However, changing climatic conditions may lead to shifts in phenology, flight activity and sex ratio. Cautious observation is therefore recommended.