The occurrence and pathogenicity of fungi associated with Orthotomicus erosus on Pinus brutia in the Southern Marmara, Türkiye

Fungal pathogens associated with bark beetles constitute one of the most significant problems to forest health. The Turkish pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) is a native species in the forests of Türkiye and occurs in the Mediterranean-type climate. The Southern Marmara is a natural occurrence area of Turkish pine in the Marmara Region. In the present study, trap logs were set up in pure Pinus brutia forests to investigate fungi associated with Orthotomicus erosus (Wollaston) (Mediterranean pine beetle) throughout Southern Marmara. Orthotomicus erosus adults, larvae, and their galleries were sampled and individually cultured on a 1% CSMA (cycloheximide–streptomycin malt agar) medium. Three ophiostomatoid fungi were identified using morphological characteristics and molecular genetic analyses: Ceratocystis (syn. Ophiostoma) ips (Rumbold) C. Moreau, Graphilbum sp. H.P. Upadhyay & W.B. Kendr., and Leptographium wingfieldii M. Morelet. All three species were new in records of the fungal flora of Türkiye. The most dominant of these species, Ceratocystis ips was isolated 69%. Unexpectedly, L. wingfieldii had a high-frequency association with O. erosus (27%). The pathogenicity tests showed that all three species could cause lesions on branches of Turkish pine but were non-pathogenic or weak pathogenic

Host plant species of invasive exotic insect species Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) in Istanbul - Türkiye

Xylosandrus compactus, a xylomycetophagous bark beetle species, is predominantly polyphagous and primarily phytophagous. Xylosandrus compactus is the second Xylosandrus species reported in Turkey, and it is known for its severe damage to economically valuable plants in its spreading areas worldwide. The present research, in which we also detected different hosts after the first record in Turkey, was carried out between July (2022) and February (2023). During the field studies, wilted and dried twigs with insect entrance holes were cut and brought to the laboratory for examination. As a result of our research, a total of 25 new species (Acer negundo, A. pseudoplatanus, Aesculus x carnea, A. hippocastanum, Buxus sempervirens, Carpinus betulus, Castanea sativa, Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Juglans regia, Laburnum anagyroidis, Liriodendron tulipifera, Malus domestica, M. floribunda, Mespilus germanica, Prunus laurocerasus, Punica granatum, Quercus castaneifolia, Q. robur, Q. rubra, Tilia tomentosa, Smilax excelsa, Ulmus minor, Viburnum opulus) have been added to the host list of Xylosandrus compactus and the number of host plants raised to 32