Identification, distribution and occurrence of the ascomycete Metschnikowia typographi in the great spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans

Abstract

This is the first report on the ascomycete Metschnikowia typographi from the adults and larvae of the great spruce bark beetle Dendroctonus micans in Turkey. In total, 910 of 1928 adults and 44 of 149 larvae investigated during the two years were infected by the pathogen. In a fresh smear the asci of the pathogen measure 18.5 +/- 2.05 microm (14.7-22.3) in length and 2.1 +/- 0.4 microm in width (n = 35). The ascospores are about 2 microm shorter than asci, having an average length of 16.4 +/- 1.5 microm (14.2-18.0). The total infection rate of D. micans was 47.2 %. The prevalence of M. typographi infections differed between localities and years. Different infection rates of male and female beetles of D. micans were not recognized.