ASSOCIATION OF PHYTOPATHOGENIC FUNGI FOR THE SCOTS PINE (<i>PINUS SYLVESTRIS</i> L.) WITH THE EUROPEAN PINE WEEVIL <i>HYLOBIUS ABIETIS</i> (L.) (COL. CURCULIONIDAE)

Abstract

Abstract In 1989 and 1990, the contamination rate of the European pine weevil Hylobius abietis (L.) by several pathogenic fungi for the Scots pine was measured [ Leptographium procerum (Kendrick) Wingf. — 45% of the specimens; Pachnodium canum (Upadh. and Kendr.) — 14%; or Ophiostoma piliferum (Fries) H. and P. Syd — 3% (Piou 1993)]. To understand the processes of transportation, a detailed study was conducted by scanning electron microscopy. Several types of spores vectored are found mainly in the thoracic cuticular rounded wells located near the sensorial setae. These wells are connected with an epidermal glandular apparatus whose ultrastructural description is given. We question the origin and composition of these secretions which are believed to protect the spores and contribute to the infection process.