Conifer-killing bark beetles locate fungal symbionts by detecting volatile fungal metabolites of host tree resin monoterpenes.

ABSTRACT: Outbreaks of the Eurasian spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) have decimated millions of hectares of conifer forests in Europe in recent years. The ability of these 4.0 to 5.5 mm long insects to kill mature trees over a short period has been sometimes ascribed to two main factors: (1) mass attacks on the host tree to overcome tree defenses and (2) the presence of fungal symbionts that support successful beetle development in the tree. While the role of pheromones in coordinating mass attacks has been well studied, the role of chemical communication in maintaining the fungal symbiosis is poorly understood. Previous evidence indicates that I. typographus can distinguish fungal symbionts of the genera Grosmannia, Endoconidiophora, and Ophiostoma by their de novo synthesized volatile compound

SUBMITTER: Kandasamy D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9943021 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature