Fungal Communities Associated with Bark Beetles in <i>Pinus radiata</i> Plantations in Northern Spain Affected by Pine Pitch Canker, with Special Focus on <i>Fusarium</i> Species

<i>Fusarium</i> 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 <i>Fusarium circinatum</i> Nirenberg and O&#8217;Donnell, th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Diana Bezos, Pablo Martínez-Álvarez, Antonio V. Sanz-Ros, Jorge Martín-García, M. Mercedes Fernandez, Julio J. Diez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-11-01
Series:Forests
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/9/11/698
Description
Summary:<i>Fusarium</i> 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 <i>Fusarium circinatum</i> Nirenberg and O&#8217;Donnell, the causal agent of pine pitch canker (PPC), which threatens <i>Pinus radiata</i> 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 <i>Fusarium</i> species. Funnel traps and logs were placed in a <i>P. radiata</i> plot known to be affected by <i>F. circinatum</i>. The traps were baited with different attractants: four with (E)-pityol and six with ethanol and &#945;-Pinene. In addition, fresh green shoots with <i>Tomicus piniperda</i> L. feeding galleries were collected from the ground in 25 <i>P. radiata</i> 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 <i>Fusarium</i> species were isolated from tissue and insects. <i>Fusarium circinatum</i> was isolated from bark beetle exoskeletons (1.05% of the <i>Pityophthorus pubescens</i> Marsham specimens harboured <i>F. circinatum</i>) and from the galleries (3.5% of the <i>T. piniperda</i> feeding galleries harboured the pathogen). The findings provide information about the fungal communities associated with bark beetles in <i>P. radiata</i> stands in northern Spain.
ISSN:1999-4907