Fungus–plant interaction influences plant-feeding insects

摘要: Abstract Fungal infection of plants alters plant metabolism and therefore their chemistry, by either increasing levels defence compounds or decreasing nutrients. Such alterations in plants, turn, influence the performance insects that feed on them. Pathogenic fungi live as biotrophs necrotrophs. Both bio- necrotrophic alter physiologies distinctly different pathways. This article explores patterns relationships evident between latter infected biotrophic fungi, using established examples from vertically horizontally transmitted biotrophic, endophytic fungi. A curious pattern such interactions refers to galls induced Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). The associated with stand distinct among insects, An understanding ecology three-way involving distantly related organisms, viz., will bear long-term consequences better management annual crop perennial forest trees. majority previously published papers context insect–plant–fungus liberally use terms ‘mutualism’ ‘symbiosis’, implicating various benefits conferred one more participants. In referred to, interacting contexts analyzed this paper, what emerges is fungus parasitically plant. eventuality an insect (= parasitized) plant, gains (e.g., gall-inducing Cecidomyiidae) occasional instances Epichloe infections Poaceae). unifying model for systems not readily apparent. only possible explanation independent origins behaviour preferring rejecting fungus-infected plants. possibly driven specific environmental conditions, which a fungus–plant–insect system would be operating.