Beauveria caledonica is a naturally occurring pathogen of forest beetles

Publication Type:Journal Article
:2008
Authors:T. R. Glare, Reay, S. D., Nelson, T. L., Moore, R.
Journal:Mycological Research
Volume:112
Pagination:352-360
Date Published:March
Type of Article:Article
:0953-7562
:Hylastes ater, Hylobius abietis, Hylurgus ligniperda
:

In New Zealand, two introduced scolytid beetles, Hylastes ater and Hylurgus ligniperda (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are pests in pine plantations. Investigation of the naturally occurring pathogens of these exotic pests revealed that both are attacked by Beauveria caledonica, a species originally isolated and described from soil in Scotland. The isolates in New Zealand were identical in morphology and conserved DNA region (rDNA, elongation factor a) sequence to isolates held in the USDA-ARS insect pathogens culture collection. In bioassay, the B. caledonica isolates were highly pathogenic to adults of H. ligniperda and larvae of Tenebrio molitor. Sporulation. was observed on cadavers, confirming the species can utilise the cadavers. As both species were likely to have been introduced to New Zealand from Europe, a search was made for B. caledonica in the northern UK and Ireland. The fungus was found as a naturally-occurring pathogen of the weevil pest, Hylobius abietis (Curculionidae: Scolytinae), developing in spruce and other beetles in forests in both regions. (C) 2007 The British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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