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

Summary

A fungus that lives inside poplar trees helps protect them from insects by changing the tree’s chemical makeup and producing its own insect-repelling compound. Scientists found that this endophytic fungus makes poplar leaves taste worse to leaf-eating insects like gypsy moth caterpillars. However, in field conditions, the fungus unexpectedly attracts more aphids while keeping beetles and ants away, showing that endophytes can have complex effects on insect communities depending on the type of insect.

Background

Fungal endophytes are microorganisms that live within plant tissues without causing disease. While endophytes in grasses are known to provide anti-herbivore defenses, little is known about whether tree endophytes engage in similar protective mutualisms. This study investigates the endophytic fungus Cladosporium sp. and its effects on black poplar tree defenses and insect interactions.

Objective

To investigate how the endophytic fungus Cladosporium sp. influences chemical defenses in black poplar (Populus nigra) trees and determine the consequences for insect herbivore feeding preferences, performance, and community assembly.

Results

Endophyte colonization increased both constitutive and induced plant defenses, particularly salicinoids. The endophyte produced the alkaloid stachydrine, which deterred chewing insects. Generalist Lymantria dispar larvae preferred and performed better on uninfected leaves. In field conditions, endophyte-infected plants attracted more aphids while repelling coleopterans and ants.

Conclusion

Endophytic fungi play a crucial role in plant defense against different feeding guilds of insects and shape insect community assembly. The endophyte both enhances plant-produced defenses and produces its own bioactive compound, demonstrating a complex tripartite interaction between trees, endophytes, and insects.
  • Published in:Ecology Letters,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.1111/ele.70007, PMID: 40007485
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