Ophiostomatoid fungi associated with Ips typographus (L.) on Picea abies [(L.) H. Karst.] and Pinus sylvestris L. in north-eastern Poland

This study dealt with the species distribution and frequency of ophiostomatoid fungi associated with the bark beetle Ips typographus on Norway spruce and Scots pine in north-eastern Poland. At all locations high spruce bark beetle damage has occurred in 2002-2003. Fungi were isolated from beetles and from brood systems of trees infested by the spruce bark beetle. The ophiostomatoid fungi were represented by 13 species. A similar spectrum of ophiostomatoid fungi as that recorded from Picea abies was associated with I. typographus on Pinus sylvestris trees. The most frequent ophiostomatoid species isolated from beetles, phloem and sapwood of Norway spruce were O. bicolor and O. penicillatum. The frequency of occurrence of ophiostomatoid fungi varied significantly among the examined locations. O. bicolor was the most frequently found species on Scots pine infested by I. typographus. The potential role of ophiostomatoid fungi in the epidemiology of I. typographus is discussed. Additionally, we also recorded how the ophiostomatoid fungi associated with spruce bark beetle could grow into phloem and sapwood of Pinus sylvestris trees.