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Insects
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Plant-Arthropod-Microorganism Interactions
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Plant-Arthropod-Microorganism Interactions

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Behavior and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2020) | Viewed by 19158

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Thomas Bawin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Framstredet 39, 2019 Tromsø, Norway
Interests: insect interactions; biological control; integrated pest management
Prof. Ingeborg Klingen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Invertebrate Pests and Weeds in Forestry, Agriculture and Horticulture, Biotechnology and Plant Health Division, NIBIO Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Høgskoleveien 7, N-1431 Ås, Norway
Interests: Integrated Pest Management (IPM); sustainable food production; plants, pests, beneficial interaction; biological control

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Arthropods (insects, mites, others) exhibit multiple interactions with plants. Both are further associated with a wide range of microorganisms, including beneficials, commensals, and pathogens from a variety of taxa. They directly or indirectly influence arthropod–plant relationships from a biological, ecological, and evolutionary perspective. Three-way interactions between plants, microorganisms, and arthropods have reported effects on plant defense and health along with host selection, feeding behavior, and arthropod fitness. This Special Issue welcomes fundamental and applied research papers as well as mini-reviews whose focus is set on microorganism-mediated effects on plant–arthropod interactions.

Dr. Thomas Bawin
Prof. Ingeborg Klingen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Plant-arthropod-microbe interactions
  • Symbionts, commensals and pathogens
  • Above- and belowground

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 999 KiB  
Article
Natural Occurrence of Entomopathogenic Fungi as Endophytes of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and in Soil of Sugarcane Fields
by Trust Kasambala Donga, Richard Meadow, Nicolai V. Meyling and Ingeborg Klingen
Insects 2021, 12(2), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12020160 - 13 Feb 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3160
Abstract
The natural occurrence of entomopathogenic fungal endophytes in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and in soil samples from sugarcane fields was evaluated in Chikwawa District, southern Malawi. Fungi from soil were isolated by baiting using Galleria mellonella larva. Fungal endophytes were isolated from [...] Read more.
The natural occurrence of entomopathogenic fungal endophytes in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and in soil samples from sugarcane fields was evaluated in Chikwawa District, southern Malawi. Fungi from soil were isolated by baiting using Galleria mellonella larva. Fungal endophytes were isolated from surface-sterilized plant tissue sections. Forty-seven isolates resembled the genus Beauveria, 9 isolates were Metarhizium, and 20 isolates were Isaria. There was no significant difference in the number and type of fungal isolates collected from soil and from plant tissue. There was, however, a significant difference in the part of the plant where fungal species were isolated, which fungal species were isolated, and the number of fungal species isolated at each location. Phylogenetic analysis of 47 Beauveria isolates based on DNA sequencing of the Bloc intergenic region indicated that these isolates all belonged to B. bassiana and aligned with sequences of B. bassiana isolates of African and Neotropical origin. The Malawian B. bassiana isolates formed a distinct clade. No larvae died from infestation by multiple fungi. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. bassiana and Isaria spp. occurring naturally as endophytes in sugarcane. Further, it is the first report of B. bassiana, Isaria spp., and Metarhizium spp. in the soil of sugarcane fields in Africa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Arthropod-Microorganism Interactions)
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18 pages, 1465 KiB  
Article
Direct and Indirect Effect via Endophytism of Entomopathogenic Fungi on the Fitness of Myzus persicae and Its Ability to Spread PLRV on Tobacco
by Junior Corneille Fingu-Mabola, Thomas Bawin and Frédéric Francis
Insects 2021, 12(2), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12020089 - 21 Jan 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2545
Abstract
Aphids are major crop pests that transmit more than half of all insect-vectored plant viruses responsible for high yield losses worldwide. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are biological control agents mainly used by foliar application to control herbivores, including sap-sucking pests such as aphids. Their [...] Read more.
Aphids are major crop pests that transmit more than half of all insect-vectored plant viruses responsible for high yield losses worldwide. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are biological control agents mainly used by foliar application to control herbivores, including sap-sucking pests such as aphids. Their ability to colonize plant tissues and to interact with diverse plant pathogenic microorganisms have been reported. In our study, we evaluated the effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana ((Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin) directly applied by contact or/and indirectly via endophytism in tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) against the virus vector Myzus persicae (Sulzer) carrying the Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) or not. We found that both contact treatment and endophytic colonization of leaves significantly increased aphid mortality and decreased the fecundity rate when compared to control plants. In addition, on fungal-colonized leaves, viruliferous aphids were more negatively impacted than virus-free ones and nymph mortality was significantly higher than on fungal-free plants. Furthermore, we assessed PLRV transmission by M. persicae on tobacco plants inoculated with either B. bassiana or Metarhizium acridum ((Driver and Milner) JF Bischoff, Rehner, and Humber) as source or/and recipient plants. Myzus persicae was found to acquire and transmit PLRV regardless of the treatment. Nevertheless, the infection rate of endophytically colonized plants was lower at a seven-day incubation period and had increased to almost 100% after fifteen days. These results suggest that B. bassiana is effective against aphids, both by contact and via endophytism, and both B. bassiana and M. acridum delayed PLRV infection in tobacco. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Arthropod-Microorganism Interactions)
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13 pages, 1382 KiB  
Article
Interaction between the Bird Cherry-Oat Aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) and Stagonospora Nodorum Blotch (Parastagonospora nodorum) on Wheat
by Belachew Asalf, Andrea Ficke and Ingeborg Klingen
Insects 2021, 12(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12010035 - 06 Jan 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2296
Abstract
Wheat plants are under constant attack by multiple pests and diseases. Until now, there are no studies on the interaction between the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi and the plant pathogenic fungus Parastagonospora nodorum causal agent of septoria nodorum blotch (SNB) on wheat. Controlled experiments [...] Read more.
Wheat plants are under constant attack by multiple pests and diseases. Until now, there are no studies on the interaction between the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi and the plant pathogenic fungus Parastagonospora nodorum causal agent of septoria nodorum blotch (SNB) on wheat. Controlled experiments were conducted to determine: (i) The preference and reproduction of aphids on P. nodorum inoculated and non-inoculated wheat plants and (ii) the effect of prior aphid infestation of wheat plants on SNB development. The preference and reproduction of aphids was determined by releasing female aphids on P. nodorum inoculated (SNB+) and non-inoculated (SNB−) wheat leaves. The effect of prior aphid infestation of wheat plants on SNB development was determined by inoculating P. nodorum on aphid-infested (Aphid+) and aphid free (Aphid−) wheat plants. Higher numbers of aphids moved to and settled on the healthy (SNB−) leaves than inoculated (SNB+) leaves, and reproduction was significantly higher on SNB− leaves than on SNB+ leaves. Aphid infestation of wheat plants predisposed the plants to P. nodorum infection and colonization. These results are important to understand the interactions between multiple pests in wheat and hence how to develop new strategies in future integrated pest management (IPM). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Arthropod-Microorganism Interactions)
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16 pages, 1529 KiB  
Article
Maternal Exposure to Ozone Modulates the Endophyte-Conferred Resistance to Aphids in Lolium multiflorum Plants
by Ludmila M. Bubica Bustos, Andrea C. Ueno, Tara D. Di Leo, Carlos D. Crocco, M. Alejandra Martínez-Ghersa, Marco A. Molina-Montenegro and Pedro E. Gundel
Insects 2020, 11(9), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11090548 - 19 Aug 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2830
Abstract
Plants are challenged by biotic and abiotic stress factors and the incidence of one can increase or decrease resistance to another. These relations can also occur transgenerationally. For instance, progeny plants whose mothers experienced herbivory can be more resistant to herbivores. Certain fungal [...] Read more.
Plants are challenged by biotic and abiotic stress factors and the incidence of one can increase or decrease resistance to another. These relations can also occur transgenerationally. For instance, progeny plants whose mothers experienced herbivory can be more resistant to herbivores. Certain fungal endophytes that are vertically transmitted endow plants with alkaloids and resistance to herbivores. However, endophyte-symbiotic plants exposed to the oxidative agent ozone became susceptible to aphids. Here, we explored whether this effect persists transgenerationally. We exposed Lolium multiflorum plants with and without fungal endophyte Epichloë occultans to ozone (120 or 0 ppb), and then, challenged the progeny with aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi). The endophyte was the main factor determining the resistance to aphids, but its importance diminished in plants with ozone history. This negative ozone effect on the endophyte-mediated resistance was apparent on aphid individual weights. Phenolic compounds in seeds were increased by the symbiosis and diminished by the ozone. The endophyte effect on phenolics vanished in progeny plants while the negative ozone effect persisted. Independently of ozone, the symbiosis increased the plant biomass (≈24%). Although ozone can diminish the importance of endophyte symbiosis for plant resistance to herbivores, it would be compensated by host growth stimulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Arthropod-Microorganism Interactions)
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16 pages, 2010 KiB  
Article
Does the Infectious Status of Aphids Influence Their Preference Towards Healthy, Virus-Infected and Endophytically Colonized Plants?
by Junior Corneille Fingu-Mabola, Clément Martin, Thomas Bawin, François Jean Verheggen and Frédéric Francis
Insects 2020, 11(7), 435; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11070435 - 11 Jul 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3462
Abstract
Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) cause significant damage and transmit viruses to various crop plants. We aimed to evaluate how the infectious status of aphids influences their interaction with potential hosts. Two aphid (Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi) and plant (Nicotiana tabacum [...] Read more.
Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) cause significant damage and transmit viruses to various crop plants. We aimed to evaluate how the infectious status of aphids influences their interaction with potential hosts. Two aphid (Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi) and plant (Nicotiana tabacum and Triticum aestivum) species were used. The preferences of aphids towards healthy, virus-infected (Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV) and Barley Yellow Dwarf virus (BYDV)), and endophytic entomopathogenic fungi (EEPF)-inoculated (Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium acridum) plants were investigated in dual-choice tests. The headspace volatiles of the different plant modalities were also sampled and analyzed. Viruliferous and non-viruliferous aphids were more attracted to EEPF-inoculated plants compared to uninoculated plants. However, viruliferous aphids were more attracted to EEPF-inoculated plants compared to virus-infected plants, while non-viruliferous insects exhibited no preference. Fungal-inoculated plants released higher amounts of aldehydes (i.e., heptanal, octanal, nonanal and decanal) compared to other plants, which might explain why viruliferous and non-viruliferous aphids were more abundant in EEPF-inoculated plants. Our study provides an interesting research perspective on how EEPF are involved in behavior of virus vector, depending on the infectious status of the latter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Arthropod-Microorganism Interactions)
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12 pages, 1127 KiB  
Article
Predatory Earwigs are Attracted by Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatiles Linked with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria
by Kim Bell, Natalia Naranjo-Guevara, Rafaela C. dos Santos, Richard Meadow and José M. S. Bento
Insects 2020, 11(5), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11050271 - 29 Apr 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3586
Abstract
Plant-associated microbes may induce plant defenses against herbivores. Plants, in turn, can attract natural enemies, such as predators, using herbivore-induced plant volatiles. Intricate communication occurs between microorganisms, plants, and insects. Given that many aspects related to mechanisms involved in this symbiotic system remain [...] Read more.
Plant-associated microbes may induce plant defenses against herbivores. Plants, in turn, can attract natural enemies, such as predators, using herbivore-induced plant volatiles. Intricate communication occurs between microorganisms, plants, and insects. Given that many aspects related to mechanisms involved in this symbiotic system remain unknown, we evaluated how beneficial soil-borne microorganisms can affect the interactions between plants, herbivores, and natural enemies. For this study, we established a multitrophic system composed of the predatory earwig Doru luteipes (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), arugula (Eruca sativa, Brassicaceae) as the host plant, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) larvae as a specialist herbivore, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae as a generalist herbivore, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens as the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), in a series of nocturnal olfactometry experiments. By assessing earwig preference towards herbivore-induced and PGPR-inoculated plants in different combinations, we showed that the interaction between rhizobacteria, plants, and herbivores can affect the predatory earwig’s behavior. Furthermore, we observed a synergistic effect in which earwigs were attracted by plants that presented as PGPR inoculated and herbivore damaged, for both specialist and generalist herbivores. Our findings help fill the important knowledge gap regarding multitrophic interactions and should provide useful guidelines for their application to agricultural fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Arthropod-Microorganism Interactions)
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