Abstract
Abstract Hylastes spp. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)were evaluated as potential vectors of
Leptographium spp. fungi. Bark beetles were trapped from stands of loblolly pine,
Pinus taeda L., exhibiting a range of decline symptoms in central Alabama. Under controlled conditions, field-collected adult
Hylastes salebrosus Eichoff (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)and
Hylastes tenuis Eichoff Coleoptera: Scolytidae), which had been surface-sterilized and inoculated with
Leptographium terebrantis Barras & Perry and
Leptographium serpens (Goid.) WingÞeld, transmitted the fungi into 100% of wounded and unwounded loblolly root sections with which they were confined. None of the sterilized and uninoculated beetles transmitted any
Leptographium spp. to roots. Signifcantly more
H. salebrosus and
H. tenuis brood emerged from roots infected with
Leptographium species than from sterile roots, indicating an enhancement of
Hylastes reproduction.
Keywords
blue-stain,
symbiosis
Citation
Eckhardt, Lori G.; Goyer, Richard A.; Klepzig, Kier, D.; Jones, John P. 2004. Interactions of
Hylastes Species (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) with
Leptographium Species Associated with Loblolly Pine Decline. J. Econ. Entomol. 97(2): 468-474