Interactions among scolytid bark beetles and the associated fungi during attacking the living conifers
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Key Words:scolytid bark beetles, associated fungi, conifers, insectfungal interactions
Abstract:Scolytid bark beetles that colonize living conifers are frequently associated with specific fungi that are carried in specialized structures or on the body surface. These fungi are introduced into the tree during the attack process. The association suggests that there is mutual benefit to the fitness of both beetles and fungi. The fungal pecies may benefit from the association with the beetles by being transported to new host trees while beetle species may benefit from the association with fungi by feeding on the fungi, or by the fungi contributing to the death of the host trees through mycelial penetration of host tissue or toxin release. Extensive researches have been directed towards characterizing the interactions of beetlefungal complexes with live host conifers and determining the ecological advantages for maintaining the associations. However, differences among systems and how species interact under different population and environmental conditions make it difficult to generalize about the importance of the separate biological components in successful host colonization.