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Jiri Hulcr - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • wood decay fungus flavodon ambrosius basidiomycota polyporales is widely farmed by two genera of Ambrosia beetles
    Fungal Biology, 2017
    Co-Authors: You Li, Craig Bateman, James Skelton, Michelle A Jusino, Zachary John Nolen, David Rabern Simmons, Jiri Hulcr
    Abstract:

    The Ambrosia fungus Flavodon ambrosius is the primary nutritional mutualist of Ambrosia beetles Ambrosiodmus and Ambrosiophilus in North America. F. ambrosius is the only known Ambrosial basidiomycete, unique in its efficient lignocellulose degradation. F. ambrosius is associated with both native American beetle species and species introduced from Asia. It remains unknown whether F. ambrosius is strictly a North American fungus, or whether it is also associated with these Ambrosia beetle genera on other continents. We isolated fungi from the mycangia and galleries of Ambrosia beetles Ambrosiodmus rubricollis, Ambrosiodmus minor, Ambrosiophilus atratus, and Ambrosiophilus subnepotulus in China, South Korea, and Vietnam. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that all Asian and North American isolates represent a single haplotype. These results confirm Flavodon ambrosius as the exclusive mutualistic fungus of multiple Ambrosiodmus and Ambrosiophilus beetle species around the world, making it the most widespread known Ambrosia fungus species, both geographically and in terms of the number of beetle species. The Flavodon-beetle symbiosis appears to employ an unusually strict mechanism for maintaining fidelity, compared to the symbioses of the related Xyleborini beetles, which mostly vector more dynamic fungal communities.

  • the Ambrosia symbiosis from evolutionary ecology to practical management
    Annual Review of Entomology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Jiri Hulcr, Lukasz L Stelinski
    Abstract:

    The Ambrosia beetle–fungus farming symbiosis is more heterogeneous than previously thought. There is not one but many Ambrosia symbioses. Beetle-fungus specificity is clade dependent and ranges from strict to promiscuous. Each new origin has evolved a new mycangium. The most common relationship with host trees is colonization of freshly dead tissues, but there are also parasites of living trees, vectors of pathogenic fungi, and beetles living in rotten trees with a wood-decay symbiont. Most of these strategies are driven by fungal metabolism whereas beetle ecology is evolutionarily more flexible. The Ambrosia lifestyle facilitated a radiation of social strategies, from fungus thieves to eusocial species to communities assembled by attraction to fungal scent. Although over 95% of the symbiotic pairs are economically harmless, there are also three types of pest damage: tree pathogen inoculation, mass accumulation on susceptible hosts, and structural damage. Beetles able to colonize live tree tissues are mos...

  • pcr multiplexes discriminate fusarium symbionts of invasive euwallacea Ambrosia beetles that inflict damage on numerous tree species throughout the united states
    Plant Disease, 2017
    Co-Authors: Dylan P G Short, Jiri Hulcr, Craig C. Bateman, Kerry Odonnell, Jason E Stajich, Teiya Kijimoto, Matthew C Berger, Angie M Macias, Ellie J Spahr, Akif Eskalen
    Abstract:

    Asian Euwallacea Ambrosia beetles vector Fusarium mutualists. The Ambrosial fusaria are all members of the Ambrosia Fusarium clade (AFC) within the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC). Several Euwallacea-Fusarium mutualists have been introduced into nonnative regions and have caused varying degrees of damage to orchard, landscape, and forest trees. Knowledge of symbiont fidelity is limited by current identification methods, which typically requires analysis of DNA sequence data from beetles and the symbionts cultured from their oral mycangia. Here, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic tools were developed to identify the six Fusarium symbionts of exotic Euwallacea spp. currently known within the United States. Whole-genome sequences were generated for representatives of six AFC species plus F. ambrosium and aligned to the annotated genome of F. euwallaceae. Taxon-specific primer-annealing sites were identified that rapidly distinguish the AFC species currently within the United States. PCR specificity, reliability, and sensitivity were validated using a panel of 72 Fusarium isolates, including 47 reference cultures. Culture-independent multiplex assays accurately identified two AFC fusaria using DNA isolated from heads of their respective beetle partners. The PCR assays were used to show that Euwallacea validus is exclusively associated with AF-4 throughout its sampled range within eastern North America. The rapid assay supports federal and state agency efforts to monitor spread of these invasive pests and mitigate further introductions.

  • Fungal symbionts in three exotic Ambrosia beetles, Xylosandrus amputatus, Xyleborinus andrewesi, and Dryoxylon onoharaense (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini) in Florida
    Symbiosis, 2015
    Co-Authors: Craig Bateman, Robert J Rabaglia, Paul E. Kendra, Jiri Hulcr
    Abstract:

    In nearly every forest habitat, Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae, Platypodinae) plant and maintain symbiotic fungus gardens inside dead or dying trees. Some non-native Ambrosia beetles aggressively attack live trees and damage tree crops, lumber, and native woody plant taxa by introducing Ambrosia fungi, some of which are plant pathogens. Most established exotic species, however, do not cause any economic damage, and consequently are little studied. To determine the specificity and diversity of Ambrosia symbionts in under-studied non-native beetles in Florida, fungi were isolated from three species: Xylosandrus amputatus , Xyleborinus andrewesi , and Dryoxylon onoharaense . Two of the beetles sampled each yielded a fungal species isolated with 100 % frequency: X. amputatus : Ambrosiella beaveri or A. nakashimae , and X. andrewesi : Raffaelea sp. nov. nr. canadensis . Both of these symbionts have been isolated previously from closely related Ambrosia beetles, supporting the hypothesis that some beetles can carry monocultures of fungi, but the fungi may not be specific to single beetle species. No consistent fungi were isolated from Dryoxylon onoharaense , raising questions about whether or not it truly carries its own symbionts. These results are now being used to test hypotheses and models explaining the evolution of pathogenicity within Ambrosia fungi and invasion ability within exotic beetle-fungus complexes.

  • the scent of a partner Ambrosia beetles are attracted to volatiles from their fungal symbionts
    Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Jiri Hulcr, Rajinder S Mann, Lukasz L Stelinski
    Abstract:

    Invasive fungus-growing Ambrosia beetles are an emerging threat to forest ecosystems and fruit industries, but management tools are lacking. Here we explored the potential of beetle symbionts–Ambrosia fungi–as a source of attractants. Our focus was the redbay Ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, and its symbiotic fungus, Raffaelea lauricola, which are devastating lauraceous hosts in the southeastern United States. We also tested three additional co-occurring beetle species and their symbionts. Each beetle species was consistently attracted to the odors of its symbiotic fungal species, occasionally also to symbionts of other species, but never to non-symbiotic Trichoderma. We further confirmed attraction to ethanol (positive control) in some species. Thus, Ambrosia fungi produce volatiles attractive to their vector beetles, which may have potential as novel lures for Ambrosia beetle management.

Matt Smith - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Ambrosia pollen source inventory for italy a multi purpose tool to assess the impact of the ragweed leaf beetle ophraella communa lesage on populations of its host plant
    International Journal of Biometeorology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Maira Bonini, Carsten Ambelas Skjøth, Branko Sikoparija, G Cislaghi, P Colombo, C Testoni, Matt Smith
    Abstract:

    Here, we produce Ambrosia pollen source inventories for Italy that focuses on the periods before and after the accidental introduction of the Ophraella communa beetle. The inventory uses the top–down approach that combines the annual Ambrosia pollen index from a number of monitoring stations in the source region as well as Ambrosia ecology, local knowledge of Ambrosia infestation and detailed land cover information. The final inventory is gridded to a 5 × 5-km resolution using a stereographic projection. The sites with the highest European Infection levels were recorded in the north of Italy at Busto Arsizio (VA3) (European Infection level 2003–2014 = 52.1) and Magenta (MI7) (European Infection level 2003–2014 = 51.3), whereas the sites with the lowest (i.e. around 0.0) were generally located to the south of the country. Analysis showed that the European Infection level in all of Italy was significantly lower in 2013–2014 compared to 2003–2012, and this decrease was even more pronounced at the sites in the area where Ophraella communa was distributed. Cross-validations show that the sensitivity to the inclusion of stations is typically below 1% (for two thirds of the stations) and that the station Magenta (MI7) had the largest impact compared to all other stations. This is the first time that pollen source inventories from different temporal periods have been compared in this way and has implications for simulating interannual variations in pollen emission as well as evaluating the management of anemophilous plants like Ambrosia artemisiifolia.

  • cross sensitization to artemisia and Ambrosia pollen allergens in an area located outside of the current distribution range of Ambrosia
    Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii, 2018
    Co-Authors: łukasz Grewling, Matt Smith, Dorota Jenerowicz, Pawel Bogawski, Malgorzata Nowak, Agata Frątczak, Magdalena Czarneckaoperacz
    Abstract:

    Introduction : The role of long-distance transported (LDT) Ambrosia pollen in inducing new sensitization and affecting sensitization rates in Artemisia -sensitized patients is unclear. Aim : The aim of this study was to estimate the degree of cross-sensitization to Ambrosia / Artemisia allergens in citizens of Poznan (Western Poland). This area is covered by extensive Artemisia populations but does not currently have local Ambrosia populations. Material and methods : Sera of 119 patients were tested by fluoroenzyme immunoassay (CAP-FEIA system) against pollen allergen extracts of Artemisia vulgaris and Ambrosia artemisiifolia , an allergenic component of A. vulgaris (nArt v 1), and an allergenic component of A. artemisiifolia ( nAmb a 1 ). Skin prick tests (SPTs, n = 86) were performed with pollen allergen extracts of A. vulgaris and A. artemisiifolia . Artemisia and Ambrosia pollen in ambient air was collected (1996�2013) by a Hirst type volumetric trap sited at roof level (33 m). Results : The SPT showed that the prevalence of sensitization to Ambrosia and Artemisia pollen exceeded 3.5, and 10.5, respectively. The measurements of IgE in blood serum (CAP-FEIA) revealed that among Ambrosia -sensitized patients 90.1 (20/22 patients) were concomitantly sensitized to Artemisia . 59.1 (13/22) of these patients reacted to nArt v 1, suggesting primary sensitization to Artemisia pollen. Only 2 (9.1) patients were mono-sensitized to Ambrosia pollen extract, but surprisingly not to nAmb a 1 . Conclusions : The LDT Ambrosia pollen had a negligible effect on the rate of sensitization to Ambrosia allergens in Poznan and did not increase the prevalence of sensitization to Artemisia pollen in this region. However, the majority of patients showing hypersensitization to Artemisia pollen might also present symptoms during elevated episodes of LDT of Ambrosia pollen.

  • ragweed Ambrosia pollen source inventory for austria
    Science of The Total Environment, 2015
    Co-Authors: Gerhard Karrer, Matt Smith, Carsten Ambelas Skjøth, Branko Sikoparija, U Berger, Franz Essl
    Abstract:

    This study improves the spatial coverage of top-down Ambrosia pollen source inventories for Europe by expanding the methodology to Austria, a country that is challenging in terms of topography and the distribution of ragweed plants. The inventory combines annual ragweed pollen counts from 19 pollen-monitoring stations in Austria (2004–2013), 657 geographical observations of Ambrosia plants, a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), local knowledge of ragweed ecology and CORINE land cover information from the source area. The highest mean annual ragweed pollen concentrations were generally recorded in the East of Austria where the highest densities of possible growth habitats for Ambrosia were situated. Approximately 99% of all observations of Ambrosia populations were below 745 m. The European infection level varies from 0.1% at Freistadt in Northern Austria to 12.8% at Rosalia in Eastern Austria. More top-down Ambrosia pollen source inventories are required for other parts of Europe.

  • the occurrence of Ambrosia pollen in rzeszow krakow and poznan poland investigation of trends and possible transport of Ambrosia pollen from ukraine
    International Journal of Biometeorology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Idalia Kasprzyk, Alicja Stach, Carsten Ambelas Skjøth, Dorota Myszkowska, łukasz Grewling, Branko Sikoparija, Matt Smith
    Abstract:

    Previous studies have shown that ragweed pollen arrives in Poland from sources in the south, in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria. It is likely that ragweed pollen also arrives from sources in the southeast (e.g. Ukraine). This hypothesis was investigated using 13 years of pollen data and back-trajectory analysis. Ambrosia pollen data were collected at three sites in Poland, Rzeszow, Krakow and Poznan. The amount of ragweed pollen recorded at Rzeszow was significantly higher than in Poznan and Krakow. This can be related to either a higher abundance of local populations of Ambrosia in south-east Poland or the proximity of Rzeszow to foreign sources of ragweed pollen. The combined results of pollen measurements and air mass trajectory calculations identified plumes of Ambrosia pollen that were recorded at Rzeszow, Krakow and Poznan on 4 and 5 September 1999 and 3 September 2002. These plumes arrived at the pollen-monitoring sites from an easterly direction, indicating sources of Ambrosia pollen in eastern Poland or Ukraine. This identifies Ukraine as a possible new source of ragweed pollen for Poland and therefore an important source area of Ambrosia pollen on the European Continent.

  • a method for producing airborne pollen source inventories an example of Ambrosia ragweed on the pannonian plain
    Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 2010
    Co-Authors: Carsten Ambelas Skjøth, Matt Smith, Alicja Stach, Dorota Myszkowska, Branko Sikoparija, Predrag Radisic, Idalia Kasprzyk, Barbara Stjepanovic, Ivana Hrga, Dora Apatini
    Abstract:

    We present here a simple methodology for calculating species inventories for allergenic pollen that can be used by atmospheric transport models. Ragweed (Ambrosia) species distribution or infection level on the Pannonian Plain has been used as an example of how the methodology can be used. The Pannonian Plain is one of the three main regions in Europe recognized as being polluted by Ambrosia. The methodology relies on spatial variations in annual Ambrosia pollen counts, knowledge on ragweed ecology and detailed land cover information. The results of this analysis showed that some of the highest mean annual ragweed pollen concentrations were witnessed around Kecskemet in central Hungary and Novi Sad in northern Serbia. These areas are also the areas with the highest density of Ambrosia habitats. The resulting inventory can be entered into atmospheric transport models in combination with other components such as a phenological model and a model for daily pollen release, in order to simulate the movement of ragweed pollen from the Pannonian Plain. The methodology is likely to be generally applicable for creating inventories of species distribution of allergenic plants. The main requirement is availability of: detailed land cover information; pollen indexes; a list of the most important habitats; and a region of interest that is mainly influenced by local sources.

Branko Sikoparija - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Ambrosia pollen source inventory for italy a multi purpose tool to assess the impact of the ragweed leaf beetle ophraella communa lesage on populations of its host plant
    International Journal of Biometeorology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Maira Bonini, Carsten Ambelas Skjøth, Branko Sikoparija, G Cislaghi, P Colombo, C Testoni, Matt Smith
    Abstract:

    Here, we produce Ambrosia pollen source inventories for Italy that focuses on the periods before and after the accidental introduction of the Ophraella communa beetle. The inventory uses the top–down approach that combines the annual Ambrosia pollen index from a number of monitoring stations in the source region as well as Ambrosia ecology, local knowledge of Ambrosia infestation and detailed land cover information. The final inventory is gridded to a 5 × 5-km resolution using a stereographic projection. The sites with the highest European Infection levels were recorded in the north of Italy at Busto Arsizio (VA3) (European Infection level 2003–2014 = 52.1) and Magenta (MI7) (European Infection level 2003–2014 = 51.3), whereas the sites with the lowest (i.e. around 0.0) were generally located to the south of the country. Analysis showed that the European Infection level in all of Italy was significantly lower in 2013–2014 compared to 2003–2012, and this decrease was even more pronounced at the sites in the area where Ophraella communa was distributed. Cross-validations show that the sensitivity to the inclusion of stations is typically below 1% (for two thirds of the stations) and that the station Magenta (MI7) had the largest impact compared to all other stations. This is the first time that pollen source inventories from different temporal periods have been compared in this way and has implications for simulating interannual variations in pollen emission as well as evaluating the management of anemophilous plants like Ambrosia artemisiifolia.

  • spatial and temporal variations in airborne Ambrosia pollen in europe
    Aerobiologia, 2017
    Co-Authors: Branko Sikoparija, Carsten Ambelas Skjøth, Maira Bonini, C Testoni, Sevcan Celenk, T Abramidze, Alm K Kubler, Jordina Belmonte, U Berger, Athanasios Charalampopoulos
    Abstract:

    The European Commission Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action FA1203 “SMARTER” aims to make recommendations for the sustainable management of Ambrosia across Europe and for monitoring its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The goal of the present study is to provide a baseline for spatial and temporal variations in airborne Ambrosia pollen in Europe that can be used for the management and evaluation of this noxious plant. The study covers the full range of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. distribution over Europe (39°N–60°N; 2°W–45°E). Airborne Ambrosia pollen data for the principal flowering period of Ambrosia (August–September) recorded during a 10-year period (2004–2013) were obtained from 242 monitoring sites. The mean sum of daily average airborne Ambrosia pollen and the number of days that Ambrosia pollen was recorded in the air were analysed. The mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated regardless of the number of years included in the study period, while trends are based on those time series with 8 or more years of data. Trends were considered significant at p < 0.05. There were few significant trends in the magnitude and frequency of atmospheric Ambrosia pollen (only 8% for the mean sum of daily average Ambrosia pollen concentrations and 14% for the mean number of days Ambrosia pollen were recorded in the air). The direction of any trends varied locally and reflected changes in sources of the pollen, either in size or in distance from the monitoring station. Pollen monitoring is important for providing an early warning of the expansion of this invasive and noxious plant.

  • ragweed Ambrosia pollen source inventory for austria
    Science of The Total Environment, 2015
    Co-Authors: Gerhard Karrer, Matt Smith, Carsten Ambelas Skjøth, Branko Sikoparija, U Berger, Franz Essl
    Abstract:

    This study improves the spatial coverage of top-down Ambrosia pollen source inventories for Europe by expanding the methodology to Austria, a country that is challenging in terms of topography and the distribution of ragweed plants. The inventory combines annual ragweed pollen counts from 19 pollen-monitoring stations in Austria (2004–2013), 657 geographical observations of Ambrosia plants, a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), local knowledge of ragweed ecology and CORINE land cover information from the source area. The highest mean annual ragweed pollen concentrations were generally recorded in the East of Austria where the highest densities of possible growth habitats for Ambrosia were situated. Approximately 99% of all observations of Ambrosia populations were below 745 m. The European infection level varies from 0.1% at Freistadt in Northern Austria to 12.8% at Rosalia in Eastern Austria. More top-down Ambrosia pollen source inventories are required for other parts of Europe.

  • is the recent decrease in airborne Ambrosia pollen in the milan area due to the accidental introduction of the ragweed leaf beetle ophraella communa
    Aerobiologia, 2015
    Co-Authors: Maira Bonini, Branko Sikoparija, M Prentovic, G Cislaghi, P Colombo, C Testoni, L Grewling, S T E Lommen, Heinz Mullerscharer
    Abstract:

    This study aims to determine whether a significant decrease in airborne concentrations of Ambrosia pollen witnessed in the north-west of the Province of Milan in Northern Italy could be explained by environmental factors such as meteorology, or whether there is evidence to support the hypothesis that the decrease was related to the presence of large numbers of the oligophagous Ophraella communa leaf beetles that are used as a biological control agent against Ambrosia in other parts of the world. Airborne concentrations of Ambrosia, Cannabaceae and Urticaceae pollen data (2000–2013) were examined for trends over time and correlated with meteorological data. The amount of Ambrosia pollen recorded annually during the main flowering period of Ambrosia (August–September) was entered into linear regression models with meteorological data in order to determine whether the amount of airborne Ambrosia pollen recorded in 2013 was lower than would normally be expected based on the prevailing weather conditions. There were a number of significant correlations between concentrations of airborne Ambrosia, Cannabaceae and Urticaceae pollen, as well as between airborne pollen concentrations and daily and monthly meteorological data. The linear regression models greatly overestimated the amount of airborne Ambrosia pollen in 2013. The results of the regression analysis support the hypothesis that the observed decrease in airborne Ambrosia pollen may indeed be related to the presence of large numbers of O. communa in the Milan area, as the drastic decrease in airborne Ambrosia pollen in 2013 cannot be explained by meteorology alone.

  • the occurrence of Ambrosia pollen in rzeszow krakow and poznan poland investigation of trends and possible transport of Ambrosia pollen from ukraine
    International Journal of Biometeorology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Idalia Kasprzyk, Alicja Stach, Carsten Ambelas Skjøth, Dorota Myszkowska, łukasz Grewling, Branko Sikoparija, Matt Smith
    Abstract:

    Previous studies have shown that ragweed pollen arrives in Poland from sources in the south, in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria. It is likely that ragweed pollen also arrives from sources in the southeast (e.g. Ukraine). This hypothesis was investigated using 13 years of pollen data and back-trajectory analysis. Ambrosia pollen data were collected at three sites in Poland, Rzeszow, Krakow and Poznan. The amount of ragweed pollen recorded at Rzeszow was significantly higher than in Poznan and Krakow. This can be related to either a higher abundance of local populations of Ambrosia in south-east Poland or the proximity of Rzeszow to foreign sources of ragweed pollen. The combined results of pollen measurements and air mass trajectory calculations identified plumes of Ambrosia pollen that were recorded at Rzeszow, Krakow and Poznan on 4 and 5 September 1999 and 3 September 2002. These plumes arrived at the pollen-monitoring sites from an easterly direction, indicating sources of Ambrosia pollen in eastern Poland or Ukraine. This identifies Ukraine as a possible new source of ragweed pollen for Poland and therefore an important source area of Ambrosia pollen on the European Continent.

Jason A. Smith - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • phylogeny of Ambrosia beetle symbionts in the genus raffaelea
    Fungal Biology, 2014
    Co-Authors: T. J. Dreaden, Michael J. Wingfield, Randy C. Ploetz, John M Davis, Wilhelm Z De Beer, Pamela S Soltis, Jason A. Smith
    Abstract:

    The genus Raffaelea was established in 1965 when the type species, Raffaelea Ambrosia, a symbiont of Platypus Ambrosia beetles was described. Since then, many additional Ambrosia beetle symbionts have been added to the genus, including the important tree pathogens Raffaelea quercivora, Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae, and Raffaelea lauricola, causal agents of Japanese and Korean oak wilt and laurel wilt, respectively. The discovery of new and the dispersal of described species of Raffaelea to new areas, where they can become invasive, presents challenges for diagnosticians as well as plant protection and quarantine efforts. In this paper, we present the first comprehensive multigene phylogenetic analysis of Raffaelea. As it is currently defined, the genus was found to not be monophyletic. On the basis of this work, Raffaelea sensu stricto is defined and the affinities of undescribed isolates are considered.

  • first report of laurel wilt disease caused by a raffaelea sp on avocado in florida
    Plant Disease, 2008
    Co-Authors: Jason A. Smith, M Hughes, Tyler J Dreaden
    Abstract:

    Laurel wilt is a vascular disease of redbay (Persea borbonia (L.) Spreng.) and other plants in the family Lauraceae in the southeastern United States. It is caused by a fungus (Raffaelea sp.) that is vectored by a non-native insect of Asian origin, the redbay Ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff) (1). Since the initial detection of the redbay Ambrosia beetle near Savannah, GA in 2002, laurel wilt has caused widespread mortality of redbay in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida (1). In September 2007, an avocado (Persea americana Mill.) tree planted approximately 10 years earlier in a residential neighborhood in Jacksonville, FL was discovered to be infected with laurel wilt. The crown was in various stages of decline, including upper branches that were dead and leafless, those with wilted and drooping foliage, and those with healthy foliage. Removal of bark from wilted branch sections revealed black-to-brown streaks of discoloration in the sapwood and a few Ambrosia beetle holes from which the di...

Lukasz L Stelinski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • the Ambrosia symbiosis from evolutionary ecology to practical management
    Annual Review of Entomology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Jiri Hulcr, Lukasz L Stelinski
    Abstract:

    The Ambrosia beetle–fungus farming symbiosis is more heterogeneous than previously thought. There is not one but many Ambrosia symbioses. Beetle-fungus specificity is clade dependent and ranges from strict to promiscuous. Each new origin has evolved a new mycangium. The most common relationship with host trees is colonization of freshly dead tissues, but there are also parasites of living trees, vectors of pathogenic fungi, and beetles living in rotten trees with a wood-decay symbiont. Most of these strategies are driven by fungal metabolism whereas beetle ecology is evolutionarily more flexible. The Ambrosia lifestyle facilitated a radiation of social strategies, from fungus thieves to eusocial species to communities assembled by attraction to fungal scent. Although over 95% of the symbiotic pairs are economically harmless, there are also three types of pest damage: tree pathogen inoculation, mass accumulation on susceptible hosts, and structural damage. Beetles able to colonize live tree tissues are mos...

  • the scent of a partner Ambrosia beetles are attracted to volatiles from their fungal symbionts
    Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Jiri Hulcr, Rajinder S Mann, Lukasz L Stelinski
    Abstract:

    Invasive fungus-growing Ambrosia beetles are an emerging threat to forest ecosystems and fruit industries, but management tools are lacking. Here we explored the potential of beetle symbionts–Ambrosia fungi–as a source of attractants. Our focus was the redbay Ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, and its symbiotic fungus, Raffaelea lauricola, which are devastating lauraceous hosts in the southeastern United States. We also tested three additional co-occurring beetle species and their symbionts. Each beetle species was consistently attracted to the odors of its symbiotic fungal species, occasionally also to symbionts of other species, but never to non-symbiotic Trichoderma. We further confirmed attraction to ethanol (positive control) in some species. Thus, Ambrosia fungi produce volatiles attractive to their vector beetles, which may have potential as novel lures for Ambrosia beetle management.

  • redbay Ambrosia beetle xyleborus glabratus eichhoff insecta coleoptera curculionidae scolytinae
    EDIS, 2011
    Co-Authors: Rajinder S Mann, Jorge E. Peña, Lukasz L Stelinski
    Abstract:

    Redbay Ambrosia Beetle Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) (EENY491/IN886) Ambrosia beetles are wood-degrading insects that live in nutritional symbiosis with Ambrosia fungi. Usually we consider Ambrosia beetles beneficial because they accelerate the decay of dead trees, which is important for nutrient cycling in healthy forests. However, the redbay Ambrosia beetle and its fungal symbiont transmit the causal pathogen of laurel wilt disease among plants in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). They are considered a “very high risk” invasive disease pest complex having potential equal to that of Dutch elm disease or chestnut blight. Laurel wilt is a relatively new disease, and much is still unknown about how it will impact the flora of North America. This 7-page fact sheet highlights what we do know about this important new pest. Written by Rajinder Mann, Jiri Hulcr, Jorge Pena, and Lukasz Stelinski and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, May 2011. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in886