Bulletin of Forestry Science / Volume 11 / Issue 2 / Pages 131-142
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The role of microorganisms in the ecology of bark beetles (Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

Gábor Balázs Balázs, Katalin Tuba & Ferenc Lakatos

Correspondence

Correspondence: Balázs Balázs Gábor

Postal address: H-9400 Sopron, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 4.

e-mail: balazsbalazsg[at]gmail.com

Abstract

Some bark beetle species (Curculionidae, Scolytinae), especially in coniferous forests, are major factors for mass mortality of trees. Although bark beetle species usually do not attack healthy trees, they can colonize weakened or dying trees. Some species may have massive outbreaks, especially under defined abiotic conditions (like hot and dry weather or after wind and snow damage) and can have significant economic and ecological effect. Microorganisms associated with bark beetles such as fungi or bacteria play important roles in their colonization success, development, and gradation. This paper provides a review on the effects of microorganisms on the biology of bark beetles and interactions between bark beetles and their host plants. We present these interactions based on the holobiont theory, i.e., considering bark beetles and their associated microbiota as a whole.

Keywords: Scolytinae, microorganisms, symbioses, holobiont

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    Cite this article as:

    Balázs, B. G., Tuba, K. & Lakatos, F. (2021): The role of microorganisms in the ecology of bark beetles (Curculionidae, Scolytinae). Bulletin of Forestry Science, 11(2): 131-142. (in Hungarian) DOI: 10.17164/EK.2021.005

    Volume 11, Issue 2
    Pages: 131-142

    DOI: 10.17164/EK.2021.005

    First published:
    13 September 2021

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