Mariusz Nietupski

Unsustainable forest management in the past and current climate change are altering the species composition and spatial structure of forest vegetation. As a result of these transformations affecting the entire forest ecosystem, both the quality and quantity of animal communities are also being modified. Insects are especially sensitive to environmental changes, and among them, carabid beetles (Carabidae) are widely regarded as model organisms. The aim of this study was to examine alterations in the structure of carabid beetle assemblages found in coniferous (CON) and deciduous (DEC) forests. The study was carried out in north-eastern Poland in four forest habitat types: deciduous fresh forest (Df), deciduous mixed fresh forest (DMf), coniferous mixed fresh forest (CMf), and coniferous fresh forest (Cf). Carabid beetles were captured using pitfall traps from May to October in 2013 and 2014. A total of 20,125 individuals representing 79 Carabidae species were collected. The recorded carabid beetles showed high ecological plasticity. Most species were distributed across both forest types despite differences in structure and environment, including vegetation characteristics and microclimatic conditions. No significant differences were observed between coniferous and deciduous forest assemblages in terms of carabid beetle abundance, species richness, or diversity. The differences observed between deciduous and coniferous forests were primarily related to species composition and the ecological structure of Carabidae. Unexpectedly, most of the distinguished ecological groups differed from the established pattern found in the literature, which states that deciduous forest communities are the primary refuge for forest carabid beetles. The similar species richness and diversity levels observed in both groups, together with the balanced distribution of predatory, winged and open-habitat carabid beetles across forest types, suggest the presence of detrimental ecological processes. Forest management is known to homogenize the qualitative, quantitative, and spatial structure of vegetation, which, along with climate change, may result in negative transformations reflected in carabid beetle assemblages. Therefore, maintaining structurally diverse forest stands and supporting habitat continuity may be important for biodiversity conservation, and incorporating biodiversity indicators such as carabid beetles into forest monitoring may support the long-term sustainability and resilience of forest ecosystems.

The current model of agricultural development, largely focused on the intensification of production, causes increased pressure on the natural environment and, at the same time, does not guarantee sufficient food supplies in the era of global demographic expansion. In light of current environmental changes and the escalating food shortage, the modern agricultural paradigm must strive to achieve a balance between productivity and the quality of agricultural products produced within an environmentally responsible production system. A promising and sustainable tool for future agriculture is a biorational model of agricultural production based, among other things, on the biological protection of agricultural products. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of biological control agents containing entomopathogenic nematodes in controlling pests from the class Gastropoda. The tests showed that these preparations inhibited the feeding intensity of the analyzed pests. Among the insecticidal nematodes, the biological product containing S. carpocapsae at doses of 2000 and 4000 LJ/m² demonstrated the highest effectiveness (mass loss: A. distinctus: 0.61 g, 0.58 g; D. reticulatum: 0.60, 0.71 g). The research conducted indicates that preparations containing entomopathogenic nematodes have the potential to reduce damage caused by slugs in crops.

In the face of the global climate and ecological crisis, as well as growing consumer needs and demands, a transformation of the global food production and distribution system is necessary. The productivity and quality characteristics of Tritordeum make this cereal an effective tool in the sustainable modernization of the agricultural sector. However, this potential can be significantly limited in the supply chain by storage pests. This study aimed to assess the impact of Tritordeum resistance on the rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.). The experiment used 11 Tritordeum breeding lines in comparison to three cereal species derived from conventional cultivation systems (common wheat Triticum aestivum L., durum wheat Triticum durum Desf., spring barley Hordeum vulgare L.). The research showed that Tritordeum may be a substrate on which S. oryzae feeds, although the intensity of the pest’s development varied depending on the line. The study also demonstrated that the hardness of the Tritordeum seed coat did not directly influence the development intensity of the analyzed beetles. It was noted, however, that the degree of infestation by these insects depended on the chemical profile of the infested kernels. The increased total protein content and lower fiber content (compared to common wheat) likely influence the development of Tritordeum resistance. This study demonstrates that Tritordeum possesses inherent resistance traits linked to its grain chemistry, providing a basis for breeding more storage-resistant cereal cultivars.

Ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) are common predators found in agricultural ecosystems. They feed on crop pests and help reduce pest population. Additionally, they are used as bioindicators to determine the impact of human activities on entomofauna and habitat conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the ground beetles that inhabit chemically protected (CP) and non-chemically protected (NCP) potato crops and to assess the impact of pesticide use on these beneficial insects. This study was conducted in Poland, on potato fields where ground beetles were caught during four-year crop rotation cycles in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. Two fields with potato crops were chosen: one without chemical protection and the other with chemical protection. Soil traps were used to catch insects, resulting in 7095 individuals of Carabidae, belonging to 41 species, caught throughout the study. The abundance and species richness of ground beetles fluctuated depending on the year of the study and the type of crop protection. Results showed that pesticide use in potato crops decreased ground beetle abundance while species richness remained unaffected. Furthermore, the use of chemical plant protection (CP) induced changes in some life traits of the carabids, leading to a decrease in the abundance of hemizoophages and autumn-breeding carabids. The abundance of the other ecological groups of Carabidae was also year-dependent.

Rhyzopertha dominica causes significant economic losses in stored cereals. Insects’ digestive tract microbiome is crucial for their development, metabolism, resistance, and digestion. This work aimed to test whether the different chemical properties of different wheat and barley grain cultivars cause disturbances in insect foraging and rearrangements of the structure of the R. dominica microbiome. The results indicated that grain cultivars significantly influence the microbiome, metabolism, and insect foraging. Most observed traits and microbiome structures were not correlated at the species level, as confirmed by ANOSIM (p = 0.441). However, the PLS-PM analysis revealed significant patterns within barley cultivars. The study found associations between C18:2 fatty acids, entomopathogenic bacteria, an impaired nitrogen cycle, lysine production of bacterial origin, and insect feeding. The antioxidant effects also showed trends towards impacting the microbiome and insect development. The findings suggest that manipulating grain chemical properties (increasing C18:2 and antioxidant levels) can influence the R. dominica microbiome, disrupting their foraging behaviours and adaptation to storage environments. This research supports the potential for breeding resistant cereals, offering an effective pest control strategy and reducing pesticide use in food production.

The increasing food crisis in times of ecological threats has challenged conventional agriculture to transform into a more efficient and sustainable agri-food system. The global priority of these activities has become, among others, the responsible and effective use of already produced food. This study aimed to assess the impact of the natural resistance of cereal grains to consumption by storage pests. The study presented here analyzed the impact of selected chemical factors from the grain of six species of cereals (wheat, triticale, rye, barley, oat, corn) on the development of one of the most dangerous storage pests—the lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica F. The increased development of this beetle on the tested grain was determined based on the number of progeny, the mass of dust produced, and the loss of grain mass. Moreover, the correlations between the above-mentioned development parameters of the pest and the content in the grain of dry matter, crude ash, total protein, crude fat, starch, and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs) were examined. The results showed that the tested pest developed most intensively on barley and triticale grains and was least abundant on oat and corn grains. Chemical analysis of the selected grain showed that the low number of the R. dominica progeny population was correlated with a higher crude fat content and a lower total protein content in the cereal grain, and therefore, these chemical properties could affect the development of the pest. Knowledge of these relationships can be used in cereal breeding programs and when recommending cereals for more extended storage. This directly translates into improved local and global nutritional and food security. Moreover, it may also contribute to the reduction of pesticide use at the storage stage, which is one of the basic requirements for agricultural production in a sustainable agriculture system.

Due to global warming, the rice weevil is an increasing threat. Various species of weevils coexist with endosymbiotic Sodalis pierantonius . This study aimed to check whether different chemical properties of different cultivars of common wheat and barley grain cause disturbances in insect...

Owing to its wealth of nutritional values and low cultivation requirements, millet can become a key crop in global food systems. Thus, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) declared that 2023 is the International Year of Millet. The introduction of this cereal and its products into universal food circulation calls for a multidimensional approach, which would also consider threats posed by pests during the storage of cereal kernels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of the confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum Duv.) on common millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and products obtained from this cereal, and to analyze the factors which influence its development (chemical composition of kernels, degree of their fragmentation). The study was conducted under laboratory conditions in an environmental test chamber (temperature 30 °C, humidity 70%, light—complete darkness). Millet grains of the Jagna cultivar and its products were weighed at 20 g, placed in vinidur dishes, and 10 beetles were then placed on the prepared material. The experiment demonstrated that the millet grain and food products obtained from this grain (millet flour, flakes, groats) could be a suitable habitat for the development of the confused flour beetle. The key regulator for the development of this pest insect is the degree of fragmentation of the infested material. The millet grain and millet products (except millet flour) are characterized by less numerous developments of beetle progeny than wheat products, which could be another advantage of millet in an integrated international system of grain storage. Chemical analysis also showed a significant correlation between the abundance of offspring generation and the content of crude fat (especially linoleic acid—C 18:2). Knowledge of the resistance or susceptibility of millet to storage pests may be useful in implementing integrated principles of protection of stored products against pests.