Abstract
Fusarium spp., as well as other endophytic or pathogenic fungi that form communities, have been reported to be phoretically associated with bark beetles (Coleoptera; Scolytinae) worldwide. This applies to Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg and O’Donnell, the causal agent of pine pitch canker (PPC), which threatens Pinus radiata D. Don plantations in northern Spain. The main objective of this study was to study the fungal communities associated with bark beetles and their galleries in stands affected by PPC, with special attention given to Fusarium species. Funnel traps and logs were placed in a P. radiata plot known to be affected by F. circinatum. The traps were baited with different attractants: four with (E)-pityol and six with ethanol and α-Pinene. In addition, fresh green shoots with Tomicus piniperda L. feeding galleries were collected from the ground in 25 P. radiata plots affected by PPC. Extracts of whole insects and gallery tissues were plated on agar medium to isolate and identify the associated fungi. A total of 24 different fungal species were isolated from the bark beetle galleries constructed in logs and shoots, while 18 were isolated from the insect exoskeletons. Ten different Fusarium species were isolated from tissue and insects. Fusarium circinatum was isolated from bark beetle exoskeletons (1.05% of the Pityophthorus pubescens Marsham specimens harboured F. circinatum) and from the galleries (3.5% of the T. piniperda feeding galleries harboured the pathogen). The findings provide information about the fungal communities associated with bark beetles in P. radiata stands in northern Spain.
Highlights
Fungal endophyte species form fungal communities, together with saprotrophic and pathogenic species, in forests
A total of 24 different fungal species were obtained from the bark beetle galleries constructed in logs and shoots, and 18 fungal species were obtained from the insect exoskeletons
The species richness and the fungal communities associated with the bodies of the bark beetles and their galleries varied depending on different factors such as insect species, type of plant tissue and season
Summary
Fungal endophyte species form fungal communities, together with saprotrophic and pathogenic species, in forests. Forests 2018, 9, 698 different fungal communities is important for understanding the role that fungi play in regulating other organisms [1]. Bark beetles are known to be closely associated with fungi worldwide. They are well known for the associations that they form with endophytic, plant-pathogenic and entomopathogenic fungi, such as Fusarium species, which are widespread and abundant in living and dead plants [2]. The genus Fusarium includes important plant pathogens that affect both forest and agricultural species [3] by producing different types of wall-degrading enzymes (e.g., cellulases, glucanases and glucosidases) and mycotoxins such as beauvericin and fumonisins [4,5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
