Relationship of phoretic mites (Acari: Tarsonemidae) to the bluestaining fungus, Ceratocystis minor, in trees infested by southern pine beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Abstract

Amount of bluestain caused by Ceratocystis minor (Hedgcock) Hunt in trees infested with the southern pine beetle (SPB). Dendroctonus frontalis zimmermann, was measuured in three Texas and Louisiana forests. It was significantly correlated with number of Tarsomemus krantzi Smiley & Moser, a mite phoretic on SPB. Significantly less bluestain and significantly fewer mites were found in certain Texas infestations were SPB outbreak was most severe.

Citation

Bridges, Robert J.; Moser, John C. 1985. Relationship of phoretic mites (Acari: Tarsonemidae) to the bluestaining fungus, Ceratocystis minor, in trees infested by southern pine beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Environmental Entomology Vol. 15(4): 951-953