Insect – fungus interactions: diversity, ecology, and applications
9 affiliations
- 1Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization & Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Fungal Sustainable Utilization in South and Southeast Asia, College of Biology and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University , ,
- 2Department of Urban Bioresources, Faculty of Urban and Aquatic Bioresources, University of Sri Jayewardenepura , ,
- 3College of Resources and Environment, Zunyi Normal University , , ,
- 4Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University , ,
- 5Department of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Mwenge Catholic University , , ,
- 6College of Agronomy and Biological Science, Yuxi Normal University , , ,
- 7Germplasm Bank of Wild Species & Yunnan International Joint Laboratory of Fungal Sustainable Utilization in South and Southeast Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences , ,
- 8College of Biodiversity Conservation, Southwest Forestry University , ,
- 9Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Agriculture and Food , , ,
Abstract
The coevolution of insects and fungi over more than 400 million years has produced a remarkable diversity of ecological associations, spanning obligate mutualisms to antagonistic parasitism. This systematic review synthesizes current knowledge of insect–fungus interactions by integrating ecological, evolutionary, and applied perspectives through a structured literature synthesis and network analysis of documented associations. Multiple independent evolutionary origins of insect–fungus mutualism are identified, with Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Blattodea most frequently participating in mutualistic associations. Nutritional mutualisms, such as fungus farming by ambrosia beetles, termites, and leaf-cutter ants, are the most ecologically significant interactions. These are characterized by specialized morphological adaptations (mycangia, fungus combs), enzymatic capabilities for lignocellulose degradation, and co-evolutionary dynamics that have shaped both partners’ genomes. Commensal associations, particularly gut-dwelling fungi in aquatic insects, display context-dependent outcomes that may shift toward mutualism under certain environmental conditions. Entomopathogenic fungi, distributed across diverse lineages including Sordariomycetes and Entomophthoromycetes, act as major mortality agents in insect populations and employ sophisticated mechanisms of host manipulation, such as behavioral modification and immune suppression. In addition to their ecological roles, insect–fungus associations have substantial practical applications. Entomopathogenic fungi offer eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides in biological control. Fungal symbionts contribute to bioremediation through lignocellulolytic and detoxification enzymes. Medicinal fungi, such as Cordyceps species, produce bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical potential. Critical knowledge gaps remain, including the undercharacterized functional diversity of insect-associated fungal communities, the molecular mechanisms underlying host specificity, and the impacts of climate change on interaction outcomes. By integrating network analysis with comprehensive literature synthesis, this review establishes a framework for understanding the ecological and evolutionary significance of insect–fungus associations and highlights their translational potential for sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, and medicine.
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BibTeX
@article{karunarathna2026insect,
title = {{Insect – fungus interactions: diversity, ecology, and applications}},
author = {Samantha C. Karunarathna and Anusha H. Ekanayaka and Namali T. de Silva and Shike Huang and Saowaluck Tibpromma and Sajid Ali and Martin Muthee Gakuubi and Jing-ya Yang and Entaj Tarafder and Dong-Qing Dai and Fuqiang Yu and Kalani K. Hapuarachchi and Leela M. Rizal},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fcimb.2026.1943397},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13728435},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Insect – fungus interactions: diversity, ecology, and applications
AU - Samantha C. Karunarathna
AU - Anusha H. Ekanayaka
AU - Namali T. de Silva
AU - Shike Huang
AU - Saowaluck Tibpromma
AU - Sajid Ali
AU - Martin Muthee Gakuubi
AU - Jing-ya Yang
AU - Entaj Tarafder
AU - Dong-Qing Dai
AU - Fuqiang Yu
AU - Kalani K. Hapuarachchi
AU - Leela M. Rizal
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fcimb.2026.1943397
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13728435
AB - The coevolution of insects and fungi over more than 400 million years has produced a remarkable diversity of ecological associations, spanning obligate mutualisms to antagonistic parasitism. This systematic review synthesizes current knowledge of insect–fungus interactions by integrating ecological, evolutionary, and applied perspectives through a structured literature synthesis and network analysis of documented associations. Multiple independent evolutionary origins of insect–fungus mutualism are identified, with Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Blattodea most frequently participating in mutualistic associations. Nutritional mutualisms, such as fungus farming by ambrosia beetles, termites, and leaf-cutter ants, are the most ecologically significant interactions. These are characterized by specialized morphological adaptations (mycangia, fungus combs), enzymatic capabilities for lignocellulose degradation, and co-evolutionary dynamics that have shaped both partners’ genomes. Commensal associations, particularly gut-dwelling fungi in aquatic insects, display context-dependent outcomes that may shift toward mutualism under certain environmental conditions. Entomopathogenic fungi, distributed across diverse lineages including Sordariomycetes and Entomophthoromycetes, act as major mortality agents in insect populations and employ sophisticated mechanisms of host manipulation, such as behavioral modification and immune suppression. In addition to their ecological roles, insect–fungus associations have substantial practical applications. Entomopathogenic fungi offer eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides in biological control. Fungal symbionts contribute to bioremediation through lignocellulolytic and detoxification enzymes. Medicinal fungi, such as Cordyceps species, produce bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical potential. Critical knowledge gaps remain, including the undercharacterized functional diversity of insect-associated fungal communities, the molecular mechanisms underlying host specificity, and the impacts of climate change on interaction outcomes. By integrating network analysis with comprehensive literature synthesis, this review establishes a framework for understanding the ecological and evolutionary significance of insect–fungus associations and highlights their translational potential for sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, and medicine.
SN - 2235-2988
ER -