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A Fungal Endophyte Alters Poplar Leaf Chemistry, Deters Insect Feeding and Shapes Insect Community Assembly

Summary

Researchers discovered that a fungus living inside poplar trees helps protect them from harmful insects by boosting the tree’s own chemical defences and producing its own deterrent compound called stachydrine. In laboratory tests, the fungus successfully deterred leaf-eating insects from feeding on poplar leaves. However, in field studies, the endophyte-infected trees attracted more aphids while repelling beetles, suggesting the fungus affects different types of insects differently depending on how they feed.

Background

Fungal endophytes of grasses produce anti-herbivore defence compounds, but little is known about endophytes in trees. This study investigates whether the endophytic fungus Cladosporium sp. affects chemical defences in black poplar and influences herbivorous insect behaviour and community assembly.

Objective

To determine how Cladosporium sp. colonisation affects poplar leaf chemistry, feeding preferences and performance of herbivorous insects, and to understand the consequences for arthropod community assembly under field conditions.

Results

Endophyte colonisation increased poplar salicinoids and induced production of the fungal alkaloid stachydrine. L. dispar larvae preferred and performed better on uninfected leaves. In field conditions, endophyte-infected plants attracted more aphids while deterring coleopterans. Aphids excreted stachydrine in their honeydew, modifying ant-aphid interactions.

Conclusion

Endophytic fungi enhance plant chemical defences and produce their own defence compounds that deter chewing insects but attract sap-sucking insects. These findings demonstrate that endophytes play a crucial role in shaping insect community assembly and plant defence strategies.
  • Published in:Ecology Letters,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.1111/ele.70007, PMID: 40007485
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