BLUE STAIN FUNGI IN LODGEPOLE PINE (PINUS CONTORTA DOUGL. VAR. LATIFOLIA ENGELM.) INFESTED BY THE MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE (DENDROCTONUS MONTICOLAE HOPK.)

Abstract

A complex of fungi was isolated from lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.) at various stages of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus monticolae Hopk.) attack. Ceratocystis montia Rumb., Leptographium sp., Pichia pini (Hoist) Phaff, Hansenula holstii Wickerham, Hansenula capsulata Wickerham, and some unnamed yeasts were isolated from beetles, fresh galleries, and blue-stained sapwood. Perithecia of C. montia, Ceratocystis minor (Hedgc.) Hunt, Ceratocystis minuta (Siem.) Hunt, Ceratocystis sp., and Europhium sp. were found on the bark and sapwood of dead, blue-stained trees. Beetles are conclusively shown to be vectors of blue stain fungi. The known ranges of C. montia and P. pini are extended by this study and a possible succession of organisms associated with the development of beetle infestation is discussed.