The In Vitro and In Vivo Fungal Volatile Organic Compounds Associated with Rapid 'Ohi'a Death and the Response of Xyleborine Ambrosia Beetles to those Compounds.

ABSTRACT: Rapid 'ōhi'a death (ROD), caused by fungal pathogens Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia, is devastating 'ōhi'a (Metrosideros polymorpha), the keystone forest tree species of Hawai'i. Ceratocystidaceae fungi produce fruity volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sticky sexual spores, suggesting they are adapted for insect dispersal. In this study, we explored chemical signaling of the causal agents of the ROD disease complex and how those VOCs mediate ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculiondiae: Scolytidae)-plant interactions. Four species of ambrosia beetles (Xyleborinus saxesenii, Xyleborus affinis, Xyleborus ferrugineus, and Xyleborus perforans) are direct vectors of the ROD pathogens in addition to spreading the fungi indirectly through contaminated frass. To further understan

SUBMITTER: Roy K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12116855 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature