Southern pine beetles, Dentroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, treated to remove their mycangial fungi, were infected with Ceratocystis minor (Hedgcock) Hunt spores and placed in freshly-cut pine bolts. Galleries constructed by beetles without mycangial fungi were significantly shorter and contained significantly more bluestain than galleries constructed by beetles with mycangial fungi. It was concluded that southern pine beetle mycangial fungi limit the distribution of bluestain in southern pine beetle-infested trees. Inhibition of the spread of the bluestain fungus by mycangial fungi may be necessary for optimal beetle development.

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