Ecological responses of parasitoids, predators and associated insect communities to the climate-driven expansion of the pine processionary moth
Abstract
The expansion of the pine processionary moth with climate warming is likely to modify the interactions with its associated arthropod and vertebrate communities of parasitoids, predators and competitors. A first section details the response of some egg parasitoids to moth expansion. Then, we investigate how insectivorous vertebrates (specialist birds, generalist birds and generalist bats) may or not be efficient predators of T. pityocampa on the range expansion gradients. Finally, we discuss whether the expansion of the moth in inner Alpine valleys may become a serious threat to the endangered Spanish moon moth by competing for the same pine needle resource.