Notes on the Associated Fungi and the Mycetangia of the Ambrosia Beetle, Crossotarsus Niponicus Bland for (Coleoptera: Platypodidae)

Abstract

The associated fungi and the spore storage organs of the ambrosia beetle Crossotarsus niponicus were investigated. Stained serial sections of the adult beetles showed that at the back of the preoral cavity of the adult female, a single spherical mycetangium existed, and surrounding this sphere a sponge-like tissue which also contains fungus material was present. From the fluid contained in the preoral cavity of all of the female specimens, Absidia glauca HAGEM was isolated. From 2 or 3 individuals, Cephalosporium mycophilum (CORDA) TUBAKI, C.acremonium CORDA, Chaetomium indicum CORDA were isolated together with A. glauca. In the beetle C. niponicus, the male bored the galleries, while the female stored and propagated the fungi; in other words, one pair of the beetles formed one gallery system. © 1971, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.