Phoretic mites and their hyperphoretic fungi associated with flying <i>Ips typographus japonicus</i> Niijima (Col., Scolytidae) in Japan

Abstract

Abstract Flying Ips typographus japonicus from Hokkaido (Japan) carried 12 species of phoretic mites, three of which were not previously recorded in Europe. The mite biologies were diverse, including specialists feeding on microorganisms, beetle eggs, and nematodes which were common under beetle elytra. Hyperphoretic on these mites were seven distinct species of fungal spores, plus an undetermined number identifiable only as conidia. The spores stuck anywhere on the mite bodies with no special carrying structures evident. Ophiostoma bicolor was the most common species, with the pathogenic Ceratocystis polonicum present in small numbers.