Research Keyword: fungal symbionts

Ambrosia gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and their microbial symbionts as a neglected model of fungus-farming evolution

Ambrosia gall midges are tiny insects that grow plants into special structures called galls where they farm fungi as food. These midges and their fungal partners have evolved a remarkable relationship where the fungi provide nutrition and protection while the midges help the fungi spread to new plants. This system offers scientists an excellent opportunity to study how insects and fungi can evolve together and influence each other’s evolution, with potential implications for understanding how new insect species form.

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