Associations of Conifer-Infesting Bark Beetles and Fungi in Fennoscandia

Insects

Riikka Linnakoski²  Z. Wilhelm de Beer¹  Pekka Niemelä² 

[1] Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; E-Mails:;Department of Biology, Section of Biodiversity and Environmental Science, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland; E-Mail:

关键词: bark beetles;    blue stain;    insect-fungus interactions;    ophiostomatoid fungi;   

DOI  :  10.3390/insects3010200

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Bark beetles (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) have a widespread association with fungi, especially with ophiostomatoid fungi (Ascomycota) that cause blue staining of wood, and in some cases, serious tree diseases. In Fennoscandia, most studies of these fungi have focused on economically important bark beetle species and this is likely to have led to a biased view of the fungal biodiversity in the region. Recently, the associations between fungi and bark beetles in Fennoscandia have been shown to be more diverse than previously thought. Furthermore, they form complex and dynamic associations that are only now beginning to emerge. This review examines the current knowledge of the rather poorly known interactions between bark beetles, fungi and their conifer host trees in Fennoscandia. The diversity of ophiostomatoid species is discussed and the possible factors that influence the assemblages of fungal associates are considered for all species that are known to occur in the region. For many ophiostomatoid species found in Fennoscandia, little or nothing is known regarding their pathogenicity, particularly if they were to be transferred to new environments. We, therefore, draw attention to the possible threats of timber trade and climate change-induced invasions of new habitats by bark beetles and the fungi that can be moved along with them.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.