THE EFFECT OF THE FUNGI CERATOCYSTIS MINOR (HEDGECOCK) HUNT, CERATOCYSTIS MINOR (HEDGECOCK) HUNT VAR. BARRASII TAYLOR, AND SJB 122 ON REPRODUCTION OF THE SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE, DENDROCTONUS FRONTALIS ZIMMERMANN (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE)

AbstractThe southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, was studied in the laboratory to determine the influence of associated fungi on its reproduction. First-generation (P) surface-sterilized beetles associated with mycangial fungi (Ceratocystis minor [Hedgecock] Hunt var. barrasii Taylor or SJB 122) constructed more galleries and laid more eggs, at faster rates, than P beetles not associated with these mycangial fungi. No significant differences occurred among non-surface-sterilized P beetles associated with the phoretic blue staining fungus Ceratocystis minor (Hedgecock) Hunt and mycangial fungi or among progeny of P beetles (F1 generation) carrying mycangial fungi. P and F1 surface-sterilized beetles produced more eggs at a greater density than non-surface-sterilized beetles associated with blue stain, but gallery length and the rate of construction were not different. P and F1 surface-sterilized beetles laid more eggs and constructed galleries faster than surface-sterilized beetles that carried no mycangial fungi. The re-emergence rate of beetles was fastest for P beetles associated with C. minor and significantly slower for fungus-free P beetles, P beetles carrying only mycangial fungi, and F1 beetles, respectively. The F1 generation emerged fastest when associated with both mycangial fungi and slowest when associated with SJB 122, and C. minor var. barrasii or no fungus, respectively. This study employed a successful new rearing technique for isolating specific southern pine beetle/fungal associations.