Geosmithia morbida Found on Weevil Species Stenomimus pallidus in Indiana

Abstract

The canker pathogen Geosmithia morbida is known to be transmitted to Juglans species by the bark beetle Pityophthorus juglandis, and to lead to development of thousand cankers disease. In an Indiana-wide trap-tree survey of ambrosia and bark beetles and weevils colonizing stressed Juglans nigra, G. morbida was detected on three Stenomimus pallidus weevils emerged from two trees on one site. This is the first report of the pathogen in Indiana and the first report of the fungus from an insect species other than P. juglandis.