In the last few decades, bark beetle outbreaks have increased in European forests, triggered by extreme weather events, such as drought and windstorms. A core element of integrated pest management to control outbreaks are salvage logging and sanitation felling, i.e., the timely removal or treatment of potential brood material and already infested trees after disturbance events. Associated with these management operations as well as with regular, planned thinning and cutting, felling residues, such as treetops, branches and stumps that remain in the forest provide potentially suitable breeding material for bark beetles and may trigger further outbreak events. Although felling residue management is part of regular forest management in most of Europe, no overview exists on its use throughout the continent. To fill this gap, we gathered forest health experts from 20 European countries and used a questionnaire to provide information on felling residue management in the context of forest protection in managed forests. Relevant legislation in these countries was reviewed for regulations concerning this topic. We found that most countries have felling residue management in their legislation and/or perform it in practice. In 12 of the 20 countries, felling residue management is being applied to manage bark beetles, particularly in areas that have experienced large-scale outbreaks in the last few decades. Felling residues are mainly managed in forests dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) and pines (Pinus spp.) (in 19 and 17 of the countries, respectively). The most frequently used management methods on a European level were piling or mulching of felling residues. These methods were used in 14 and 16 of the countries, respectively. Besides bark beetle management, use of residues for bioenergy (4 countries) and biodiversity conservation (6 countries) was reported. The diversity of felling residue management practices across Europe may reflect differences in forest policies and climatic gradients that are affecting bark beetle outbreak risks. This overview presents the variety of felling residue management applied across 20 European countries, highlighting the reasons for and implications of its use, as well as further research needs.

Pityogenes chalcographus was monitored using pheromone traps installed in different forest types across Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study was conducted within protected areas of Sarajevo Canton, including the Protected Landscapes of Bijambare and Trebević and the Skakavac Natural Monument. The investigated forest types comprised secondary fir–spruce stands and mixed beech–fir forests with spruce admixture. Data were collected between 2018 and 2021 to assess the effects of forest type and climatic factors on pheromone-trap catches of P. chalcographus. Mean trap catches in secondary fir–spruce forests ranged from 2317.6 to 6317.0 individuals per trap, whereas catches in mixed beech–fir forests with spruce ranged from 150.0 to 6840.0 individuals per trap. The highest mean catches were recorded in the Trebević Protected Landscape and the Skakavac Natural Monument. Overall, trap catches tended to be higher in secondary fir–spruce forests than in mixed beech–fir forests with spruce. Statistically significant differences in mean catches between forest types were detected only in 2021, while no significant differences were observed during 2018–2020. No statistically significant relationships were found between climatic variables and P. chalcographus trap catches during the study period.

Coniferous forests cover 41% of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Norway spruce (Picea abies) being an ecologically and economically important species. Bark beetles, especially the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus), pose a major threat, often causing large-scale dieback. Factors such as wind, drought, terrain exposure, and slope can increase susceptibility to outbreaks. This study aimed to assess the influence of these factors on forest health in bark beetle outbreak areas, based on stump measurements after sanitary logging. Fieldwork was conducted in spring 2024 on five known bark beetle hotspots managed by “Šumsko privredno društvo Zeničko-dobojskog kantona” d.o.o. Zavidovići. Data collected included stump diameter, wood decay, bark thickness, tree coordinates (via AlpineQuest), exposure, and slope. Analyses were performed in STATGRAPHICS Plus using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni correction. A total of 507 stumps were analyzed. About 81% were in diameter classes 31–50 cm and 51–80 cm and nearly 48% showed central wood decay. Terrain exposure and slope significantly influenced stump diameters, with the largest averages on SW exposure and 2–5% slopes. Stump diameter also significantly affected decay size, while bark thickness showed no significant variation across exposure or slopes. This research confirmed that Norway spruce in diameter size categories 31–50 cm and 51–80 cm is most vulnerable to bark beetle attacks. This susceptibility is further intensified if trees are located on south-facing, moderate slopes. Central wood decay was present in nearly half of the observed tree stumps, leading to the conclusion that its presence is another predisposing factor for bark beetle attacks. Bark thickness on the observed tree stumps did not vary significantly on different terrains, which is a result that differed from the results obtained in other similar studies.

This paper analyzes the health status of urban trees in the Campus area of the University of Sarajevo, with a particular focus on wood decay, mechanical damage, and the impact of maintenance practices. A total of 507 trees were evaluated for taxonomic composition, vitality decline symptoms, presence of pests, and the need for maintenance interventions. The results showed a statistically significant correlation between decay and damage to the root collar and major trunk injuries. Maintenance measures, especially pruning and soil loosening, had a positive effect on reducing symptoms of tree decline. Pests were also recorded, particularly on small-leaved linden and horse chestnut. The findings highlight the importance of regular monitoring, selection of resistant species, and an integrated approach to urban greenery management, especially in light of climate change and increasing urban stressors.

The research analyzed the effectiveness of dry and wet pheromone traps and pheromone attractans from producer Ipsolab in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During 2023, pheromone traps with pheromone attractants were deployed in the field, and the population of spruce, fir and pine bark beetles was monitored. The sample consisted of 98 dry and 97 wet pheromone traps. The average number of Ips typographus L. individuals caught in dry pheromone traps was 1,133.80 individuals, and in wet pheromone traps 1,009.82 individuals. As for the average number of Pityogenes chalcographus L. individuals caught in dry pheromone traps, it was 3,419.15 individuals, and in wet pheromone traps 4,017.88 individuals. The average number of caught individuals of Ips sexdentatus (Boerner) in dry impingement barrier traps was 54.79 individuals, and in wet impingement barrier traps 91.33 individuals. For the bark beetle Piytokteines curvidens (Germar), the average number of caught individuals in dry impingement barrier traps was 42.00 individuals, and in wet impingement barrier traps 82.22 individuals.

In recent years, the oak lace bug, Corythucha arcuata, has emerged as a significant threat to European oak forests. This species, native to North America, has in the last two decades rapidly extended its range in Europe, raising concerns about its potential impact on the continent's invaluable oak populations. To address this growing concern, we conducted an extensive study to assess the distribution, colonization patterns, and potential ecological niche of the oak lace bug in Europe. We gathered 1792 unique presence coordinates from 21 Eurasian countries, utilizing diverse sources such as research observations, citizen science initiatives, GBIF database, and social media reports. To delineate the realized niche and future distribution, we employed an ensemble species distribution modelling (SDM) framework. Two future greenhouse gas scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) were considered across three-time intervals (2021-2040, 2061-2080, and 2081-2100) to project and evaluate the species' potential distribution in the future. Our analysis revealed that significant hotspots rich in host species occurrence for this invasive insect remain uninvaded so far, even within its suitable habitat. Furthermore, the native ranges of Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) and Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto L.) species offer entirely suitable environments for the oak lace bug. In contrast, the pedunculate oak and sessile oak distribution ranges currently show only 40 % and 50 % suitability for colonization, respectively. However, our predictive models indicate a significant transformation in the habitat suitability of the oak lace bug, with suitability for these two oak species increasing by up to 90 %. This shift underlines an evolving landscape where the oak lace bug may exploit more of its available habitats than initially expected. It emphasises the pressing need for proactive measures to manage and stop its expanding presence, which may lead to a harmful impact on the oak population across the European landscape.

As part of the research, the population of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle in different types of forests in five protected areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina was analyzed. The study focused on the protected areas of Sarajevo Canton, specifically the secondary forests of fir and spruce, as well as the mixed forests of beech and fir (containing spruce). Pheromone traps were used as the research sample, and they were placed within PA Bijambara, PA Trebević, and PA Skakavac. The objective was to investigate the influence of forest type and climatological factors on the number of captured Ips typographus bark beetles from 2018 to 2021. The average number of captured I. typographus bark beetles during that period ranged from 491.39 to 901.68 individuals in secondary fir and spruce forests, and from 201.88 to 701.54 individuals in beech and fir forests (including spruce).

Održivi razvoj i očuvanje krajobraza, danas postaju dio strategija razvoja mnogih država. Kako bi se osigurala dozvoljena intervencija u krajobrazu, potrebno je snimiti postojeće stanje, odrediti krajobrazne vrijednosti i kapacitet nosivosti tog područja. U krajobraznom oblikovanju važno je poznavati entomofaunu kako zbog bioraznolikosti, tako i zbog očuvanja biljnih vrsta. Revitalizacija i oblikovanje novih krajobraznih cjelina podrazumijeva analizu postojeće flore te razmatra ideju zadržavanja flornih elemenata unutar novog projekta kako bi se očuvala autentičnost terena, ali i vrednovala starost prisutnih vrsta. Cilj rada bio je istražiti entomofaunu na postojećim hortikulturnim vrstama u posjedu Franjevačkog samostana i Franjevačke klasične gimnazije u Visokom. Istraživanje je provedeno od rujna 2022. do kolovoza 2023. godine. Determinirane su 81 drvenasta i grmolika vrsta te 28 kukaca čije je djelovanje štetno. Determinacijom nađenih vrsta utvrđuje se kako najviše štetnika pripada redu Hemiptera, zatim Coleoptera te Lepidoptera, dok je najmanje pripadnika redova Diptera i Hymenoptera.

The sustainable forest management concept contains the essence of the sustainable development paradigm - meeting the current needs of society without compromising the needs of future generations. The strategic commitment of the Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo is aimed at quality education of forestry experts, conducting innovative research and the most intensive cooperation with the economy. The methodological approach in this paper is based on a critical analysis of the scope of the educational-research process at the Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo, and the potentials of sustainable forest management in BiH, to determine to what extent higher education and research on environmental, sociological and economic aspects of forest management can affect positive changes in BiH society. Apart from identifying the benefits of forest ecosystems in the context of contributing to sustainable development, the research on the attitudes of teaching staff related to the contribution of the educational-research process to general goals of sustainable development from the 2030 Agenda was conducted. The results of this paper show that the concept of sustainable forest management, as it is realized in educational-research process at the Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo, has significant potential to contribute to sustainable development in BiH. This contribution is reflected in biodiversity conservation, mitigation of climate change, carbon storage, prevention of natural disasters, impact on the stability of water and soil, energy supply from renewable sources, continuous economic growth, socially responsible production and consumption, job security, development of rural and urban areas as well as maintaining and improving the psychophysical health of the population. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that sustainable forest management, grounded on scientific postulates, understanding of diversity of forest ecosystem services and dynamics in society's requirements towards forests, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation, can be an important factor of sustainable development in BiH.

The paper analysed bees by-catch collected in 259 bark beetle slit traps, from eleven localities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sampling was carried out in spruce and fir forests in 2020 and 2021. As a by-catch from bark beetle slit traps 84 bee individuals from four families and 13 genera were collected. In the bark beetle slit traps sample, out of 29 bee taxa, 22 species were identified at the species level and eight specimens were left at the genus/subgenus level. The most dominant genera were Megachile with 34 specimens and Osmia represented by 20 specimens in the total sample. The research identified 14 bee species new to the fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bee species collected in the bark beetle slit-traps were dominated by nesters in cavities, above the ground-nesting bees.

Provedenim istraživanjem analiziran je ulov crnogoričnog ljestvičara Trypodendron lineatum na području srednje Bosne. Prikupljanje podataka o brojnosti insekata vršeno je u mješovitim šumama bukve i jele (sa smrekom), sekundarnim šumama jele i smreke i šumskim kulturama četinjača u kojima je dominantna smreka. Istraživanje je provedeno tijekom 2020. godine, a korišteno je 20 naletno barijernih feromonskih klopki tipa Teysohn® za testiranje učinkovitosti feromonskog atraktanta Trypowit. Prosječan ulov potkornjaka T. lineatum za I brojanje je najveći u šumskim kulturama četinjača u kojima je dominantna smreka (792.00 jedinki), za II i III brojanje u mješovitim šumama bukve i jele (sa smrekom) (1444.44 jedinki i 1033.33 jedinki). Utvrđeno je postojanje statistički značajnih razlika u ulovu potkornjaka T. lineatum tijekom III brojanje u zavisnosti od tipa šuma u kojima se nalazila smreka. Naime značajno veći ulov insekata zabilježen je u klopkama postavljenim u mješovitim šumama bukve i jele (sa smrekom) a iste su bile u blizini stovarišta, kao i mjestima s prisutnim drugim drvnim ostacima u odnosu na klopke koje su se nalazile u drugim tipovima šuma.

Protected areas are ecosystems of indisputable importance for the wealth and biodiversity of each country. Therefore, the forestry profession is faced with the priority task of preserving the health of forests, which includes monitoring, forecasting and planning measures to combat factors that may adversely affect the health and stability of forests. Assessment of the health status of a protected area implies the collection of data that serves to assess the current health status as well as defining and proposing appropriate measures to preserve natural diversity. Since natural monuments are not a physically limited part of nature, plant diseases, pests and other harmful biotic and abiotic factors in the ecosystems surrounding this protected area can spread beyond their borders. Therefore, monitoring and implementing environmentally friendly protection measures must be imperative in our protected areas. Weakened and older trees of all species that have reduced resistance to pest attack are primarily exposed to the attack. Due to the reduced felling in protected areas, there are more and more such trees, which will surely be a significant problem in the near future.

The research analyzed the catch of striped ambrosia beetle in different types of forests in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research was conducted in the area of central Bosnia, in secondary fir and spruce forests, mixed beech and fir forests (with spruce) and forest crops. The research sample consists of 20 pheromone traps, during which the effectiveness of the pheromone attractant Trypowit was tested. The average catch of bark beetles T lineatum for the first measurement is the highest in forest crops (792.00 beetles), for the second and third measurements in mixed beech and fir forests (with spruce) (1444.44 beetles and 1033.33 beetles). Statistical analyzes revealed the existence of statistically significant differences in the catch of T. lineatum bark beetles during the III measurement depending on the forest type.

Balkan Peninsula is considered to be a hotspot of beetle biodiversity. Registering occurrence of saproxylic beetles is an important first step for expanding the general knowledge about saproxylic beetles as ecologically important insect species. Cossonus parallelepipedus is a European saproxylic species distributed from Iberian Peninsula in the west to Russia in the east, and from the Mediterranean in the south to Fennoscandia in the north. The first, and until now the only find of this species for the Balkan Peninsula is from Croatia. We report the first find of C. parallelepipedus in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). In April 2020, larvae, pupae and imagoes were collected, in the central part of BiH, north of Sarajevo, on Zvijezda Mt. near Vares from decaying moist wood in the lower part of a tree trunk of European silver fir, Abies alba. We expect that this species has a wider presence, especially in mountain areas in the central part of the country. Due to the similar environment conditions for other two European Cossonus species (C. cylindrus and C. linearis) their presence is also possible.

U ovom radu je opisan prvi nalaz invazivne vrste (Cacopsylla pulchella) na području Bosne i Hercegovine. Ovo je potencijalno invazivna vrsta posebno za područje mediterana, odnosno južnih dijelova naše zemlje. Monofagna je vrsta, koja se hrani na judinom drvetu Cercis siliquastrum L. Značaj domaćina ovog štetnika u urbanim površinama, posebice u području Hercegovine te karakter invazivnosti, upućuju na ozbiljnost problema i potrebu dodatnih istraživanja bionomije i štetnosti.

Pyrrhalta viburni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a chrysomelid native to Eurasia. It gained importance as an invasive species in North America due to its ability to cause serious damage to native and ornamental Viburnum spp. plants. In our study Pyrrhalta viburni was recorded as a new record in the fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has been recorded on four locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the region of Sarajevo. As it is feeding on Viburnum spp. that are commonly used as ornamental plants, its monitoring in urban and other habitats is suggested.

The impact of beech weevil on the damaged area of beech trees from adult and larvae was analyzed, depending on the location and position of trees of beech in stand (sun/shadow). The research localities were located within the forest plantation of spruce, natural beech forests and mixed beech, fir and spruce forests. Beech weevil represents one of the main defoliators appearing on beech trees. The research sample consists of 15 beech trees, 5 trees per location, on three locations. On each location, were selected 3 trees with the crown in the sun and 2 trees with the crown in the shade (a total of 9 trees in the sun and 6 trees in the shade). On each tree were measured damages from the adult and larvae of beech weevil. It has been found that the average damaged area on beech leaf varied for adult from 2-4%, and larvae 4-8%. Statistical analysis showed a statistically significant differences in damaged areas of beech leaf from larvae, depending on the position of beech trees in the stand.

Bukva predstavlja jednu od najvažnijih vrsta drveća u Bosni i Hercegovini. Stoga, potrebno je praćenje zdravstvenog stanja bukovih sastojina i poduzimanje svih neophodnih preventivnih i represivnih mjera kako bi se zdravstveno stanje ovih sastojina unaprijedilo. U okviru istraživanja analiziran je utjecaj bukove skočipipe na površinu oštećenja listova na stabalcima bukve od imaga i ličinke u ovisnosti od lokacije i položaja stabalaca bukve u sastojini (svjetlo/sjena). Lokacije istraživanja su se nalazile unutar kulture smreke, visokih šuma bukve i mješovitih šuma bukve i jele sa smrekom. Bukova skočipipa predstavlja jednog od glavnih defolijatora koji se javljaju na stablima bukve. Uzorak istraživanja čine 15 stabalaca bukve, po 5 stabalaca na tri lokacije. Na svakoj lokaciji odabrana su 3 stabalca čija krošnja je bila na svjetlu i dva stabalca čija krošnja je bila u sjeni (ukupno 9 stabalaca na svjetlu i 6 stabalaca u zasjeni). Na svakom stablu pregledavana su i mjerena oštećenja od imaga i ličinke bukove skočipipe. Ustanovljeno je da prosječna površina oštećenja lista bukve od imaga je varirala od 2-4%, a ličinke od 4-8%. Statističkim analizama je utvrđeno postojanje statistički značajnih razlika u površini oštećenja lista bukve od ličinke u ovisnosti od položaja stabalaca bukve u sastojini.

The North American oak lace bug feeds on leaves of ‘white oaks” in its native range. In Europe, it was first discovered in northern Italy in 2000. In recent years, it has subsequently spread rapidly and population outbreaks have been observed in several European countries. In the present study, we summarize the steps of its expansion. To predict its potential host range, we checked 48 oak species in 20 sentinel gardens in seven countries between 2013 and 2018. In total, 27 oak species were recorded as suitable hosts; 13 of them are globally new ones, 23 out of the 29 in section Quercus (∼ white oaks, an intrageneric taxonomic unit within genus Quercus ), including Asian oaks, native to Japan, Korea and China, and four out of five in section Cerris (another intrageneric unit of the same genus), were accepted as hosts. None of the species in section Lobatae (red oaks) or in the Ilex group was accepted. Host records were also collected in forest stands of 10 countries. We found 11 oak species that were infested. Outbreak populations were most commonly found on Quercus robur , Quercus frainetto , Quercus petraea and Quercus cerris , comprising widespread and outstandingly important oaks species in Europe. Based on our findings, we conclude that suitable hosts for oak lace bug are present in most of Europe and Asia. This means that a lack of hosts will likely not restrict further range expansion.

Utjecaj gljiva truležnica roda Heterobasidion i Armillaria na pojavu truleži na stablima obične smreke provedeno je na Šumskogospodarskom području “Gornjebosansko”, gospodarska jedinica “Gornja Stavnja”, odjeljenje 65. Utvrđivanje prisutnosti truleži vršeno je na srušenim stablima obične smreke na premjernim površinama koje su raspoređene u sistematski postavljenoj mreži 100 m x 100 m. Uzorci su prikupljeni sa tri mjesta na dijelu debla zahvaćenom procesom truleži (početak zone truleži, sredina i vršna zona truleži). Na mjestima uzorkovanja uzimani su kolutovi drva debljine 5 cm. Analize uzoraka su provedene u laboratorijima Šumarskog fakulteta Univerziteta u Sarajevu. Za izravnu izolaciju gljivične DNA su pripremljeni uzroci drva mase 10-20 mg. Za amplifikaciju ciljanog segmenta DNK korištene su tubice s pripremljenim reagensima, proizvod ReadyToGo PCR beads tvrtke Amersham, Bioscience. Za amplifikaciju ciljanog segmenta ITS regije za rod Heterobasidion su korišteni početnice MJ-F, MJ-R, KJ-F i KJ-R, pomoću kojih je utvrđena međuvrsna raznolikost (tablica 2). Za amplifikaciju ciljanog segmenta ITS regiona za rod Armillaria su korišteni početnice ITS-1 i ITS-4, pomoću kojih je utvrđena samo pripadnost rodu. Za međuvrsnu raznolikost je vršena amplifikacija ciljanog segmenta IGS regiona za rod Armillaria pomoću početnice LR12 i O-1, te razgradnja endonukleazom AluI (tablica 3). Uspješnost amplifikacije je provjerena elektroforezom na agaroznom gelu. Interpretacija profila je izvršena pomoću molekularnog markera poznate veličine (100 bp) (slika 1).Na osnovi provedenih istraživanja unutar istraživane sastojine utvrđeno je 9 stabala s gljivom H. parviporum, 2 stabla s gljivom A. ostoyae, 1 stablo s gljivom A. cepistipes, te 17 stabala čiju trulež su uzrokovale ostale gljive truležnice (tablica 4). Gljiva H. annosum je uspješno identificirana iz plodišta. Na osnovi svega navedenog, može se zaključiti da je molekularnim analizama moguće utvrđivati međuvrsnu raznolikost gljiva ova dva roda iz uzoraka drveta sa truleži i plodišta gljiva.