. Protecting and enhancing America's forests and rangelands : 1986 research accomplishments. Forests and forestry United States; Rangelands United States. Bluestain in Pines May Be a Marker for Southern Pine Beetle Outbreaks Outbreaks of the southern pine beetle occur unpredictably and are a serious threat to the pine forests in the Southern United States. Current outbreaks in Texas and Louisiana are the worst on record. Recently, researchers have found a relationship between the presence of a fungus and bark beetle population levels that could help in predicting the trend of an outbreak. The
. Protecting and enhancing America's forests and rangelands : 1986 research accomplishments. Forests and forestry United States; Rangelands United States. Bluestain in Pines May Be a Marker for Southern Pine Beetle Outbreaks Outbreaks of the southern pine beetle occur unpredictably and are a serious threat to the pine forests in the Southern United States. Current outbreaks in Texas and Louisiana are the worst on record. Recently, researchers have found a relationship between the presence of a fungus and bark beetle population levels that could help in predicting the trend of an outbreak. The southern pine beetle carries a number of fungi, including the bluestaining fungus, Ceratocystis minor, long recognized as a common associate of the insect. The fungus grows into the sapwood and causes the characteristic stain seen in beetle-killed trees. Ceratocystis minor is known to kill pine trees, and many researchers believe it must be present in order for the beetle to overcome healthy trees. Experiments conducted in Texas and Louisiana show that trees killed by the southern pine beetle generally had less bluestain in areas where the beetle infestation was most severe. Under outbreak conditions, some beetle-killed trees may not have bluestain at all. These findings may be of practical importance as a diagnostic or predictive tool for pest-management specialists. Stain caused by this fungus is easy to recognize, and measurements of the amount of stain present in trees killed by the southern pine beetle may prove useful in predicting the onset or collapse of bark beetle This loblolly pine was killed by the southern pine beetle. Removing the bark reveals both the insect's S-shaped galleries and dark patches of stain caused by the fungus Ceratocystis minor. Though the beetle and C. minor often travel together, recent research indicates that very high southern pine beetle populations kill trees without any help from bluestain fungi. 37. Please note that these image
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