Ceratocystis minor (Hedgc.) Hunt, one of the most important of the blue-stain 
fungi in the Eastern United States, is introduced into pine trees by the southern pine 
beetle. Blue-stain fungi interfere with normal water movement in the tree, and the 
tree shows wilt symptoms as it dies. The presence of blue stain in wood reduces its 
market value. 
Ceratocystis ips (Rumbold) C. Moreau is introduced into southern pines by the 
engraver beetles, /ps calligraphus and I. grandicollis, and it produces a stain that 
spreads inward from the beetle galleries toward the heartwood (fig. 7). This fungus 
has also been found in living and felled red pines attacked by /. pini and /. 
grandicollis in the Lake States (7/9). 
Several authors discuss the interrelationships of bark beetles and blue-stain Sie 
(146, 917, 1044). A number of species of ambrosia beetles carry staining fungi on 
their bodies and, because they attack hardwood logs and lumber in large numbers, 
are considered to be important disseminators of stain-inducing agents (/23/). 
The cyclic occurrence of pitch canker disease of slash and loblolly pines 
suggests that it is dependent on insects for spread (35/). Pitch canker disease is 
eaiced by Fusarium moniliforme Sheld. var. subglutinans Wollenw. & Reink. Tip 
moth damage and pitch canker damage are sometimes associated. The deodar 
weevil feeds on young shoots in the upper crown of slash and loblolly pines, 
creating wounds, which are colonized by the pitch canker organism. Since spores of 
the fungus are wind- and water-borne, any insect-induced wound is probably used 
as a court of entry by the fungus. 
Courtesy Duke Univ. Sch. For. 
Figure 7.—Cross section of bole of shortleaf pine killed 
by Ips calligraphus, showing development of blue- 
stain fungus, Ceratocystis ips, in sapwood. 
24 
