Ambrosia Beetle-Fungus Alliance: A Threat to Indian Plantations UPSC NOTE

Ambrosia Beetle-Fungus Alliance: A Threat to Indian Plantations

UPSC Relevance

Prelims: Environment and Ecology (Invasive Alien Species, Symbiotic Relationships), Science and Technology (Biotechnology, Biocontrol), Indian Economy (Agriculture - Major Crops).
Mains:

Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country.
Issues related to food security.
Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.
Disaster and disaster management (Biological Disasters).

Rubber plantations in Kerala are facing a threat from an alliance between a beetle and a fungus, causing widespread defoliation and drying of trees.

Researchers at the Kerala Forest Research Institute identified the pest as the Ambrosia Beetle (Euplatypus parallelus).
This beetle has a mutualistic relationship with two fungal species (Fusarium ambrosia and Fusarium solani).
The beetles bore into the tree bark and cultivate these fungi inside, which then serve as food for the beetles and their larvae.
This beetle is an invasive species capable of attacking over 80 tree species, including teak, cashew, coconut, and coffee, in addition to rubber trees.
This infestation significantly impacts rubber's latex production, leading to substantial economic losses.
The Fusarium fungi also have the potential to be opportunistic pathogens in humans, posing a threat to plantation workers' health.
India is the world's sixth-largest rubber producer, with 90% of its production coming from Kerala.