Relationship of phoretic mites (Acari: Tarsonemidae) to the bluestaining fungus, Ceratocystis minor, in trees infested by southern pine beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Amount of bluestain caused by Ceratocystis minor (Hedgcock) Hunt in trees infested with the southern pine beetle (SPB), Dendroctonus fontalis Zimmermann, was measured in three Texas and Louisiana forests. It was significantly correlated with number of Tarsonemus krantzi Smiley & Moser, a mite phoretic on SPB. Significantly less bluestain and significantly fewer mites were found in certain Texas infestations where SPB outbreak was most severe.