Host preference of Cisidae (Coleoptera) on tree-inhabiting fungi in northern Norway.

• Published in: Entomologica Fennica
• Main Authors: Fossil, Tor-Erik, Andersen, Johan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: This journal is published jointly by the Entomological Society of Finland, the Lepidopterological Society of Finland, the Societas Entomologica Helsingforsiensis and the Entomological Club of the Zoological and Botanical Society of Turku. 1998
• Subjects: Norway; Northern Norway; Troms
• Online Access: https://journal.fi/entomolfennica/article/view/83967; https://doi.org/10.33338/ef.83967

Fruiting bodies of tree-inhabiting "macrofungi" (Polyporaceae, Hymenochaetaceae, Corticiaceae and Tremellaceae) were collected in 1993-1996 in Troms county, northern Norway for investigation of host specificity of Cisidae species. Three methods of estimating the amount of fruiting bodies were compared: 1) dry weight, 2) calculation of volume and 3) measure of volume. They were all highly correlated (R = 0.79-0.96), but only method 1) and 3) were applicable irrespective of shape and therefore used in the statistical analyses concerning host preferences. 31 different species and more than 1 000 units of tree-living fungi were investigated and yielded about 15 500 individuals and 13 species of Cisidae. The cisid species showed preference for one single genus or species of fungi. Cis boleti, Cis hispidus and Octotemnus glabriculus preferred Trametes spp., Cis comptus preferred Cerrena unicolor, Cis lineatocribratus and Cis jacquemarti preferred Fames fomentarius, while Cis punctulatus preferred Trichaptum spp. Orthocis festivus and Ropalodontus strandi appeared to be even more specific, with occurrence exclusively in Stereum rugosum and Fomes fomentarius, respectively. Cis bidentatus showed no specific host selection (polyphagous). A spatial segregation of the cisids R. strandi, C. jacquemarti and C. lineatocribratus was evident regarding height above ground of the fungus F. fomentarius. Microclimatic factors cannot explain the host selection of the species, but Sulcacis affinis, Sulcacis fronticornis and Ennearthron cornutum were exclusively found in fungi in warm and dry positions.