Mediation of Insect-Host Plant Interactions by Fungi

这项研究的目的是测试 微生物在介导植食性 昆虫，它们的寄主植物和天敌。 具体来说，拟议的研究将确定内生如何 真菌（在植物体内产生无症状感染的真菌） 组织）影响定殖、分散和种群 食叶昆虫和食叶昆虫的动态 常见寄主植物埃默里橡树 虽然内生真菌是 它们被认为是植物互利主义者，可以阻止其他食草动物， 越来越多的证据表明，它们对植食性植物的影响 昆虫是高度可变的。 拟议的研究将测试 这些影响的方向和程度，通过一系列的 现场和实验室实验和观察。 生态学家 最近认识到， 例如内生真菌的微生物可以改变常规的 植食性昆虫-寄主植物-天敌学说 交互. 通过严格检查内生菌的影响， 真菌，拟议的研究将测试和修改这些 传统的理论。

The goal of the proposed research is to test the role of microorganisms in mediating interactions among phytophagous insects, their host plants and their natural enemies. Specifically, the proposed research will determine how endophytic fungi (fungi that produce asymptomatic infections within plant tissues) affect colonization, dispersion, and population dynamics of leafmining and leafchewing insects that feed on a common host plant, Emory oak. Although endophytic fungi are thought to be plant mutualists by deterring other herbivores, accumulating evidence suggests that their effects on phytophagous insects are highly variable. The proposed research will test the direction and magnitude of these effects through a series of field and laboratory experiments and observations. Ecologists have recently recognized that the pervasive effects of microorganisms such as endophytic fungi may alter conventional theories of phytophagous insect - host plant - natural enemy interactions. By rigorously examining the effects of endophytic fungi, the proposed research will test and modify these conventional theories.