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Fungal Pathogens Associated with Tomicus Species in European Forests: Regional Variations and Impacts on Forest Health

Summary

This study examined the fungi carried by small pine bark beetles across three European countries with different climates. Researchers found that environmental conditions in each region heavily influenced which fungi the beetles carried, rather than the beetle species itself. Some of the fungi found are known to damage pine trees and reduce forest health. The findings suggest that warming climates may worsen the problem by increasing beetle populations and spreading harmful fungi through forests.

Background

Pine bark beetles (Tomicus spp.) are significant forest pests that transmit pathogenic fungi to pine trees across Europe. These fungi, particularly ophiostomatoid species, can cause substantial damage to Pinus sylvestris and P. halepensis forests. Understanding the fungal communities associated with these beetles across different regions is critical for forest management and disease prevention.

Objective

This study aimed to identify and compare the diversity of ophiostomatoid and other fungi associated with Tomicus species in three European countries with different climates: Lithuania, Ukraine, and Montenegro. The research investigates how regional environmental conditions and host tree species influence fungal community composition and potential pathogenic impacts.

Results

High-throughput sequencing identified 561 fungal OTUs from 91,141 high-quality reads. Ophiostoma spp. (20.6%), Cladosporium spp. (21.5%), and Diplodia sapinea (17.2%) were the most prevalent fungi. Significant regional variations were observed, with D. sapinea predominating in Ukraine (34.2%) and Fusarium oxysporum in Montenegro (18.8%). The fungal communities were more strongly influenced by environmental factors and geographic location than by beetle species.

Conclusion

Tomicus species play a significant role in dispersing pathogenic fungi including ophiostomatoid fungi, D. sapinea, and Fusarium species. Environmental factors and host tree species are primary drivers of fungal community composition. These findings highlight the importance of continued monitoring and research for developing effective forest management strategies to mitigate beetle-fungus-mediated forest health decline, particularly in the context of climate change.
  • Published in:Insects,
  • Study Type:Comparative Field Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40266754, DOI: 10.3390/insects16030277
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