Fungi and Insects

Fungi That Infect Insects: Altering Host Behavior and Beyond

Approximately 1,000 species of the fungal phyla Microsporidia, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota (order: Entomophthorales), Basidiomycota, and Ascomycota are known to infect and kill insects [1]. Of these, species such as Beauveria bassiana andMetarhizium robertsii (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) are well-studied models for exploring the mechanisms of fungus–insect physiological interactions, and ...

Dispersal Ecology of Insects Inhabiting Wood-Decaying Fungi

Can Insects Develop Resistance to Insect Pathogenic Fungi?

Microevolutionary adaptations and mechanisms of fungal pathogen resistance were explored in a melanic population of the Greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella. Under constant selective pressure from the insect pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, 25(th) generation larvae exhibited significantly enhanced resistance, which was specific to this pathogen and not to another insect pathogenic fungus,...

Temperature-dependent effects on mutualistic, antagonistic, and commensalistic interactions among insects, fungi and mites

The relative abundance and nature of associations between symbiotic species can be affected by abiotic conditions with consequences for population dynamics. We investigated the effects of temperature on the community of mites and fungi associated with the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis, an important pest of pine forests in the southern United States. First, we determined whether t...

Temperature-dependent effects on mutualistic, antagonistic, and commensalistic interactions among insects, fungi and mites

'T'he relat~ve abundance and nature of associations between symbiotic species can be affected by abiotic contfrl~ons L L I ~ ~ consequences for population dynamics. We itlvestigated the effects of temperature on the community of mltes and fungi associated w ~ t h the southern pine beetle, L3endrocfon11.s frontulis, an irilportant pest of pine forests in llic snuthcrn Unitcd States. First, we dc...