Fungal diversity in the mycangium of an ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Japan during their late dispersal season

In the present study, we identified the fungal community, including yeasts, in the mycangium of the ambrosia beetle, Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and observed the fungal diversity in the mycangia at different times during the dispersal season of beetles. The results showed that the fungal community in the mycangia of X. crassiusculus was dominated by Ambrosiella roeperi, which is regarded as a primary ambrosia fungus. The fungal diversity in the mycangia was influenced by the timing of beetle sampling during the flight dispersal season, with more diverse fungal communities in the late dispersal season. The composition of auxiliary fungi differed significantly among individuals in this study as well as between this study and other studies, indicating that the auxiliary fungi were likely influenced by factors such as locality and seasons.