SPB & Invasive Insects - Photos: Fungi & Mites
Fungi
and Mits
For further information and publications see pages for Kier D. Klepzig
or John C. Moser.
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| The mycangium of SPB is collar-like structure found in the prothorax of the beetle that carries symbiotic fungi. In this photo the beetle's head and legs have been removed and two streams of fungal spores oozing from the openings of the mycangium are visible. |
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| Growth of mycangial fungi (in blue) from SPB in pine phloem. The beetle larvae feed on the spores of these fungi. |
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| This basidiomycete fungus is found in the SPB mycangium and in larval galleries. It is very beneficial to the beetle, both as food and as a competitor of O. minus. |
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| This ascomycete fungus occurs within the SPB mycangium and in larval galleries. It is an ineffective competitor of O. minus. |
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| Patches of bluestain in the inner bark caused by the fungus Ophiostoma minus. This fungus may assist SPB in killing trees, but later in the SPB life cycle, competes with SPB larvae. |
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| The fungus Ophiostoma minus causes the bluestain patches frequently observed within SPB attacked trees. The dark hyphae and perithecia of the fungus give it the common name of bluestain. |
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| Tadpole-shaped ascospores of the SPB mycangial fungi Ceratocystiopsis ranaculosus in the sporotheca of the mite Tarsonemus krantzi. This fungus is transported by the mite, which in turn rides the beetle from tree to tree. |