Relationship between the honeydew of mealy bugs and the growth of Phlebopus portentosus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Phlebopus portentosus and mealy bugs form a fungus-insect gall on the roots of host plants. The fungus and mealy bugs benefit mutually through the gall, which is the key link in the nutritional mechanism of P. portentosus. The cavity of the fungus-insect gall provides an ideal shelter for mealy bugs survival and reproduction, but how does P. portentosus benefit from this symbiotic relationship?

Methodology and results

Anatomical examination of fungus-insect galls revealed that one or more mealy bugs of different generations were living inside the galls. The mealy bug's mouthpart could penetrate through the mycelium layer of the inside of the gall and suck plant juice from the host plant root. Mealy bugs excreted honeydew inside or outside the galls. The results of

SUBMITTER: Fang YW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7292412 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature