User:Seba5..Zed8/sandbox

The staining is caused by fungal hyphae which spread through the sapwood and parenchymal rays after initial infection.

Importance of the symbiotic relationship between blue stain fungi and bark beetles.

Symbiotic association between bark beetles and species of blue stain fungi is a well-known and studied phenomena in the forestry pathology. Some bark beetle species like Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) feed on phloem layer just underneath the bark of a lodgepole pines when they are developing from larval to adult stage. Mountain Pine Beetle carry the spores of at least 2 known blue stain fungi species Ophiostoma clavigerum and Ophiostoma montium. These spores are carried on the exoskeleton of the beetles from one tree to another and aid the insects in overcoming defence mechanisms of different pine species. After the beetles initiate their attack and bore through the bark spores are released. These spores immediately start to multiply and block important conductive vessels within the tree tissues. The tree loses its ability to produce resin and defend itself.

Trade and pulp production problems associated with blue stain fungi

Developing spores of the blue stain fungi are a concern in packaging materials used for shipping from Canada to Australia. Potential of introducing invasive species of fungi.

According to Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada the wood infected with the blue stain fungus have a high proportion of fines that are not suitable for pulp production.