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Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores

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Impacts of plant symbiotic fungi on insect herbivores: mutualism in a multitrophic context.

Sue E Hartley¹, Alan C Gange

¹Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom. S.Hartley@sussex.ac.uk

Annual Review of Entomology

|December 11, 2008

Summary

Plant-associated fungi like endophytes and mycorrhizae significantly impact insect herbivores. While generalist insects are harmed, specialists may benefit, with effects varying by fungus type and insect feeding guild.

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Area of Science:

Plant-insect interactions
Fungal endophytes
Mycorrhizal fungi

Background:

Symbiotic fungi (endophytes and mycorrhizae) associate with plants.
These fungi interact with insect herbivores feeding on host plants.
Understanding these complex ecological relationships is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of symbiotic fungi on insect herbivores.
To analyze how fungal associations affect different insect feeding guilds and specializations.
To identify patterns and context dependencies in plant-fungi-insect interactions.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on interactions between plant symbiotic fungi and insect herbivores.
Analysis of effects based on insect type (generalist vs. specialist) and feeding guild.
Consideration of taxonomic bias and study methodologies (lab vs. field).

Main Results:

Fungal endophytes and mycorrhizae significantly impact closely associated herbivores.
Generalist insects are typically negatively affected, while specialists may benefit.
Effects vary by fungus type (e.g., aphids vs. leaf-chewers) and specific fungal/host/insect genotypes.

Conclusions:

Plant symbiotic fungi exert diverse effects on insect herbivores, influenced by specificity and context.
Mechanisms underlying these interactions require further investigation using molecular and metabolomic approaches.
Further research is needed to address taxonomic biases and expand field studies.