Microbial symbiotes of the ambrosia beetleXyloterinus politus

Abstract

Progression in the understanding of the microecology of ambrosia beetles and their associated microorganisms is briefly reviewed. Between the 1840s and the early 1960s the concept of one ambrosial fungus per ambrosia beetle was emphasized. Some subsequent research has supported the view that each ambrosia beetle plus several associated microorganisms constitute a highly co-evolved symbiotic community. It was hypothesized in this study that such a community of symbiotic microbial species, not just one ambrosial fungus, is actively cultivated and perpetuated by the ambrosia beetleXyloterinus politus. Experimental results indicated that bacteria, yeasts, a yeastlike fungus, and ambrosial fungi compose such a symbiotic microbial complex in association withX. politus. The microecology of the ectosymbiotic microorganisms in relation to this insect is discussed.