Scientific response to intensifying bark beetle outbreaks in Europe and North America

Tree-killing bark beetles are globally the most destructive forest pests and their impacts have increased in recent decades. Such an increase has been consistently reported from Europe North America, it is, with high confidence, driven by climate change. We investigated how scientific community both continents responded to this situation conducting a comprehensive search of Scopus database 1970 2020. Studies that interactions between change two prominent European spruce beetle Ips typographus (ESBB) mountain pine Dendroctonus ponderosae (MPB), were identified. used several hierarchical criteria, starting general aspects pest – interactions, studies clear implications for management policies. found authors investigating species mentioned publications beginning 1998, constituted 8.9 13.8 % all on ESBB (N = 987) MPB 1479) recorded Scopus. However, only part these addressed as fundamental or integral research design (59.1 38.7 MPB). identified 30 50 which informed efforts towards improving strategies address change-affected ecosystem dynamics. Publications insects highlighted importance vegetation aiming reduce risk severity outbreaks prevent large-scale population expansion. Only minor portion placed findings into context relevant policies legislation, connection was particularly lacking MPB. conclude under received inadequate attention lags behind observed foreseen global-scale impacts. suggest focused applied is needed develop new climate-adapted evidence-based strategies.