Beetles attack by chewing straight through the outer bark
into the phloem.
The fungus spreads
into the phloem and sapwood of living and dead pines, sometimes creating stunning patterns!
The researchers published the results of the project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, in the specialist journal Plant Biology under the title «Functional characterisation and cell specificity of BvSUT1, the transporter that loads sucrose
into the phloem of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) source leaves «(doi: 10.1111 / plb.12546).
The BvSUT1 protein pumps the sugar molecules, together with protons, through an inner pore from the space between the cells
into the phloem of the beet leaves.
Wood had discovered that male Ips beetles secrete a chemical
into phloem that attracts potential mates.