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Chemical Signals That Mediate Insect-Fungal Interactions

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Biocommunication of Fungi

Abstract

This chapter reviews the diverse types of chemical communication that mediate interactions between fungi and insects. Both life forms utilize complex chemosensory systems to process environmental cues. As they coexist in terrestrial and aquatic habitats, the consequences of their interactions range from beneficial effects for both partners to adverse ones or even death for one partner. Plants, as an additional life form, also can be involved in these multifaceted relationships. Depending on the volatility of the produced compound(s), chemical cues generally are perceived either by contact or from a distance. Responses of insects to such cues may operate on various levels, including metabolism, immune defense, and behavior. Furthermore, insects may perceive compounds as attractive, repellent, deterrent, or neutral. Fungi, on the other hand, show various metabolic responses to insect-borne chemicals that come into contact with their cell wall. While numerous published reviews and textbooks cover insect-fungal symbiosis, we here present examples of communication systems in which one or more components regulating the signaling events have been identified. These examples include fungal pathogens of insects and plants, mycophagous and fungivorous insects, mutualistic symbioses between fungi and insects, fungal kairomones utilized by insects, and floral and other scent mimicry exploited by fungi.

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Acknowledgements

In part this work was supported by funding provided through a specific cooperative program between P. Teal (CMAVE, USDA/ARS) and D. Boucias (University of Florida, Gainesville).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 970 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0620, USA

    Drion G. Boucias & Verena-Ulrike Lietze

  2. Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, USDA-ARS, 1700 SW 23 Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32604, USA

    Peter Teal

Authors
  1. Drion G. Boucias
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  2. Verena-Ulrike Lietze
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  3. Peter Teal
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Correspondence to Drion G. Boucias .

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  1. Telos - Philosophische Praxis, Vogelsangstr. 18c, Bürmoos, 5111, Austria

    Günther Witzany

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Boucias, D.G., Lietze, VU., Teal, P. (2012). Chemical Signals That Mediate Insect-Fungal Interactions. In: Witzany, G. (eds) Biocommunication of Fungi. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4264-2_20

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