Parasitism by Entomopathogenic Fungi and Insect Host Defense Strategies
Dinghai Zhang, Haidi Qi, Feng Zhang
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi, a group of insect pathogens, are characterized by high insecticidal efficacy and minimal environmental impact. They are commonly used as biopesticides for pest control due to their significant practical value. We here classify entomopathogenic fungi according to the process of fungal infection in hosts, changes in host behavior during infection, and mechanisms of spore transmission, and review the strategies employed by insects to resist infection, including physical barrier defenses, immune system defenses, and behavioral avoidance of fungal pathogens. This review also discusses the pathogenic mechanisms of fungi on insects and the closely linked co-evolution between fungal pathogens and insect defenses. In conclusion, a perspective on future research is provided, emphasizing the impact of insect population density and spore concentration in the environment on disease outbreaks.