Insect-Fungal Interactions

Insect-Fungal Interactions

InsectsKingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Arthropoda, Class: Insecta

Six jointed legs, exoskeletonApx 1 million described species

FungiKingdom: Fungi70,000 described species; may be over 1.5 millionImmobile like plants, but like animals: can break down organic material for nutrients

Insect-Fungal Interactions

Possible Relationships

Fungivory: insect eats fungusMutualism: both insect and fungus benefitsParasitism: fungus lives on/inside insect and the insect suffersCommensalism: one benefits, the other is unaffected

Insect Fungivores: Springtails

Springtails: thousands of these per square foot in forests: feed on fungus as leaves and wood rot

Insect Fungivores: Springtails

Insect Fungivores: Springtails

Insect Fungivores: Fungus Beetles

Fungus Beetles: various kinds, invade rotten wood

Insect Fungivores: Mushroom Flies

A pest for mushroom growers

Mutualism: Leafcutter Ants

Mutualism: Leafcutter Ants

Real Ant Farms

Mutualism: Scale Insects

“Felt Fungi”

Mutualism: Bark Beetles

Tri-Trophic Interactions

Endophytes: symbiotic fungi living in grasses - why?

Parasitism: Fungal Diseases

Fungal Insecticides: natural and manipulated

Parasitism: Fungal Diseases

Parasitism: Fungal Diseases

Behavioral EffectsFeeding reduction: give fungus less nutrients

Insect may bask in sun to kill fungus

Just before death: insect often moves to a high spot

Lady Beetles and Fungi?

Fungi: Hesperomyces virescensFound on other types of lady beetles in other countriesOn other lady beetles: may be associated with mortality