• Latest
  • Trending
Mold fungus protects beetles from ants

Mold fungus protects beetles from ants

September 20, 2022
A Cold Chain Breakthrough: How Korean Partnership is Curbing Post-Harvest Loss in Kyrgyzstan

A Cold Chain Breakthrough: How Korean Partnership is Curbing Post-Harvest Loss in Kyrgyzstan

September 18, 2025
The Stavropol Seed Gamble: Can a New Cluster Realistically Break Russia’s Sugar Beet Dependency?

The Stavropol Seed Gamble: Can a New Cluster Realistically Break Russia’s Sugar Beet Dependency?

September 17, 2025
Breaking the Seed Barrier: Kuban’s Ambitious Plan to Achieve Sugar Beet Sovereignty

Breaking the Seed Barrier: Kuban’s Ambitious Plan to Achieve Sugar Beet Sovereignty

September 17, 2025
Beyond the Beet Pile: A Deep Dive into Lipetsk’s High-Efficiency Sugar Industry and Its National Impact

Beyond the Beet Pile: A Deep Dive into Lipetsk’s High-Efficiency Sugar Industry and Its National Impact

September 16, 2025
Record Sugar Beet Yields Defy Weather Challenges: Belarus Targets 670,000 Tons of Sugar

Record Sugar Beet Yields Defy Weather Challenges: Belarus Targets 670,000 Tons of Sugar

September 16, 2025
Belarus Harvest 2024: Strong Yields for Sugar Beet and Cereals Amid Strategic Focus on Winter Sowing

Belarus Harvest 2024: Strong Yields for Sugar Beet and Cereals Amid Strategic Focus on Winter Sowing

September 15, 2025
The Agronomic Powerhouse: Validating Cabbage’s Superior Nutritional Profile and Market Potential

The Agronomic Powerhouse: Validating Cabbage’s Superior Nutritional Profile and Market Potential

September 15, 2025
Beyond the Plate: Broccoli Bouquet Signals a Shift in Consumer Values and Agricultural Branding

Beyond the Plate: Broccoli Bouquet Signals a Shift in Consumer Values and Agricultural Branding

September 14, 2025
From the Volga to the Bosphorus: Russian Pickle Producer Expands into Turkish and Halal Markets

From the Volga to the Bosphorus: Russian Pickle Producer Expands into Turkish and Halal Markets

September 14, 2025
A Double-Edged Sword: Soaring Chinese Cabbage Imports into Zabaykalsky Bring Heightened Biosecurity Risks

A Double-Edged Sword: Soaring Chinese Cabbage Imports into Zabaykalsky Bring Heightened Biosecurity Risks

September 13, 2025
Border Biosecurity in Action: 15-Ton Cabbage Shipment Halted Over Destructive Thrips Infestation

Border Biosecurity in Action: 15-Ton Cabbage Shipment Halted Over Destructive Thrips Infestation

September 13, 2025
Beyond the Head: Unpacking the Environmental and Agronomic Factors Behind Cabbage Crop Failure

Beyond the Head: Unpacking the Environmental and Agronomic Factors Behind Cabbage Crop Failure

September 12, 2025
  • Company
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Vegetables News
  • NEWS
    A Cold Chain Breakthrough: How Korean Partnership is Curbing Post-Harvest Loss in Kyrgyzstan

    A Cold Chain Breakthrough: How Korean Partnership is Curbing Post-Harvest Loss in Kyrgyzstan

    The Stavropol Seed Gamble: Can a New Cluster Realistically Break Russia’s Sugar Beet Dependency?

    The Stavropol Seed Gamble: Can a New Cluster Realistically Break Russia’s Sugar Beet Dependency?

    Breaking the Seed Barrier: Kuban’s Ambitious Plan to Achieve Sugar Beet Sovereignty

    Breaking the Seed Barrier: Kuban’s Ambitious Plan to Achieve Sugar Beet Sovereignty

    Beyond the Beet Pile: A Deep Dive into Lipetsk’s High-Efficiency Sugar Industry and Its National Impact

    Beyond the Beet Pile: A Deep Dive into Lipetsk’s High-Efficiency Sugar Industry and Its National Impact

    Record Sugar Beet Yields Defy Weather Challenges: Belarus Targets 670,000 Tons of Sugar

    Record Sugar Beet Yields Defy Weather Challenges: Belarus Targets 670,000 Tons of Sugar

    Belarus Harvest 2024: Strong Yields for Sugar Beet and Cereals Amid Strategic Focus on Winter Sowing

    Belarus Harvest 2024: Strong Yields for Sugar Beet and Cereals Amid Strategic Focus on Winter Sowing

    The Agronomic Powerhouse: Validating Cabbage’s Superior Nutritional Profile and Market Potential

    The Agronomic Powerhouse: Validating Cabbage’s Superior Nutritional Profile and Market Potential

    Beyond the Plate: Broccoli Bouquet Signals a Shift in Consumer Values and Agricultural Branding

    Beyond the Plate: Broccoli Bouquet Signals a Shift in Consumer Values and Agricultural Branding

    From the Volga to the Bosphorus: Russian Pickle Producer Expands into Turkish and Halal Markets

    From the Volga to the Bosphorus: Russian Pickle Producer Expands into Turkish and Halal Markets

  • AGROTECHNOLOGY
    • All
    • Climate
    • Crop protection
    • digital (smart)
    • dron
    • Fertilizer
    • Research
    • weed
    A Double-Edged Sword: Soaring Chinese Cabbage Imports into Zabaykalsky Bring Heightened Biosecurity Risks

    A Double-Edged Sword: Soaring Chinese Cabbage Imports into Zabaykalsky Bring Heightened Biosecurity Risks

    Beyond the Field: How Cooperative-Led Education is Revolutionizing Garlic and Onion Production

    Beyond the Field: How Cooperative-Led Education is Revolutionizing Garlic and Onion Production

    Heritage Garlic Under Threat: The Clash Between Preservation and Progress in Danyang’s Premium Garlic Project

    Heritage Garlic Under Threat: The Clash Between Preservation and Progress in Danyang’s Premium Garlic Project

    Navigating Risk and Reward: British Sugar’s New Contract Options Reshape Grower Economics

    Navigating Risk and Reward: British Sugar’s New Contract Options Reshape Grower Economics

    Israel’s Water Crisis Reaches Breaking Point: Agriculture Bears Brunt of Unprecedented Drought

    Israel’s Water Crisis Reaches Breaking Point: Agriculture Bears Brunt of Unprecedented Drought

    Kazakhstan’s Agri-Strategic Pivot: A Data-Driven Shift from Wheat to Value-Added Crops

    Kazakhstan’s Agri-Strategic Pivot: A Data-Driven Shift from Wheat to Value-Added Crops

    Pushing the Climate Envelope: Kaliningrad Farmer Targets 15-Ton Watermelon Harvest

    Pushing the Climate Envelope: Kaliningrad Farmer Targets 15-Ton Watermelon Harvest

    Hungary’s Sour Cherry Crisis: Frost Decimates Harvest While Global Demand Soars

    Hungary’s Sour Cherry Crisis: Frost Decimates Harvest While Global Demand Soars

    Cabbage Compound Breaks Down Dental Plaque by 90% – A Game Changer for Oral Health and Agriculture

    Cabbage Compound Breaks Down Dental Plaque by 90% – A Game Changer for Oral Health and Agriculture

  • IRRIGATION
  • SEED PRODUCTION
    • Vegetables
    • Fruit
  • PROCESSING
No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
    A Cold Chain Breakthrough: How Korean Partnership is Curbing Post-Harvest Loss in Kyrgyzstan

    A Cold Chain Breakthrough: How Korean Partnership is Curbing Post-Harvest Loss in Kyrgyzstan

    The Stavropol Seed Gamble: Can a New Cluster Realistically Break Russia’s Sugar Beet Dependency?

    The Stavropol Seed Gamble: Can a New Cluster Realistically Break Russia’s Sugar Beet Dependency?

    Breaking the Seed Barrier: Kuban’s Ambitious Plan to Achieve Sugar Beet Sovereignty

    Breaking the Seed Barrier: Kuban’s Ambitious Plan to Achieve Sugar Beet Sovereignty

    Beyond the Beet Pile: A Deep Dive into Lipetsk’s High-Efficiency Sugar Industry and Its National Impact

    Beyond the Beet Pile: A Deep Dive into Lipetsk’s High-Efficiency Sugar Industry and Its National Impact

    Record Sugar Beet Yields Defy Weather Challenges: Belarus Targets 670,000 Tons of Sugar

    Record Sugar Beet Yields Defy Weather Challenges: Belarus Targets 670,000 Tons of Sugar

    Belarus Harvest 2024: Strong Yields for Sugar Beet and Cereals Amid Strategic Focus on Winter Sowing

    Belarus Harvest 2024: Strong Yields for Sugar Beet and Cereals Amid Strategic Focus on Winter Sowing

    The Agronomic Powerhouse: Validating Cabbage’s Superior Nutritional Profile and Market Potential

    The Agronomic Powerhouse: Validating Cabbage’s Superior Nutritional Profile and Market Potential

    Beyond the Plate: Broccoli Bouquet Signals a Shift in Consumer Values and Agricultural Branding

    Beyond the Plate: Broccoli Bouquet Signals a Shift in Consumer Values and Agricultural Branding

    From the Volga to the Bosphorus: Russian Pickle Producer Expands into Turkish and Halal Markets

    From the Volga to the Bosphorus: Russian Pickle Producer Expands into Turkish and Halal Markets

  • AGROTECHNOLOGY
    • All
    • Climate
    • Crop protection
    • digital (smart)
    • dron
    • Fertilizer
    • Research
    • weed
    A Double-Edged Sword: Soaring Chinese Cabbage Imports into Zabaykalsky Bring Heightened Biosecurity Risks

    A Double-Edged Sword: Soaring Chinese Cabbage Imports into Zabaykalsky Bring Heightened Biosecurity Risks

    Beyond the Field: How Cooperative-Led Education is Revolutionizing Garlic and Onion Production

    Beyond the Field: How Cooperative-Led Education is Revolutionizing Garlic and Onion Production

    Heritage Garlic Under Threat: The Clash Between Preservation and Progress in Danyang’s Premium Garlic Project

    Heritage Garlic Under Threat: The Clash Between Preservation and Progress in Danyang’s Premium Garlic Project

    Navigating Risk and Reward: British Sugar’s New Contract Options Reshape Grower Economics

    Navigating Risk and Reward: British Sugar’s New Contract Options Reshape Grower Economics

    Israel’s Water Crisis Reaches Breaking Point: Agriculture Bears Brunt of Unprecedented Drought

    Israel’s Water Crisis Reaches Breaking Point: Agriculture Bears Brunt of Unprecedented Drought

    Kazakhstan’s Agri-Strategic Pivot: A Data-Driven Shift from Wheat to Value-Added Crops

    Kazakhstan’s Agri-Strategic Pivot: A Data-Driven Shift from Wheat to Value-Added Crops

    Pushing the Climate Envelope: Kaliningrad Farmer Targets 15-Ton Watermelon Harvest

    Pushing the Climate Envelope: Kaliningrad Farmer Targets 15-Ton Watermelon Harvest

    Hungary’s Sour Cherry Crisis: Frost Decimates Harvest While Global Demand Soars

    Hungary’s Sour Cherry Crisis: Frost Decimates Harvest While Global Demand Soars

    Cabbage Compound Breaks Down Dental Plaque by 90% – A Game Changer for Oral Health and Agriculture

    Cabbage Compound Breaks Down Dental Plaque by 90% – A Game Changer for Oral Health and Agriculture

  • IRRIGATION
  • SEED PRODUCTION
    • Vegetables
    • Fruit
  • PROCESSING
No Result
View All Result
Vegetables News
Home AGROTECHNOLOGY

Mold fungus protects beetles from ants

by Tatyana Ivanovich
September 20, 2022
in AGROTECHNOLOGY
0
Mold fungus protects beetles from ants

…and beetles help the fungus infect plants.

The shield beetle Chelymorpha alternans.

Mold fungus fusarium acrosporum is one of the most common phytopathogens that can cause a lot of trouble to agriculture. In relation to the hosts, it is very promiscuous, that is, it parasitizes a variety of species. However, it should be clarified here that fusarium acrosporum has a lot of different strains, which sometimes specialize in a very narrow spectrum of hosts; moreover, there are quite harmless and even useful ones among them. But in general, the mushroom is considered quite harmful. By the way, it is not limited to plants: some strains affect animals, up to humans.

Therefore, it could be expected that for the shield beetle Chelymorpha alternans, on which fusarium also grows, there is only one harm from it. But everything turned out to be a little different. In an article in Current Biology, the staff of the Max Planck Society Institute of Biology write that the fungus accompanies the beetle all its life, but it becomes especially numerous when the beetle larva turns into a pupa — the fungus grows a thousand times more intensively on it, covering the pupa with a waxy white coating. At the same time, nothing happens to the pupa, after six days an adult beetle appears from it.

About science


The researchers suggested that the fungal plaque protects the immobile pupa from predators — for example, from ants. For the experiment, we took almost a hundred pupae and laid them out in special cages in the undergrowth in the jungle of Panama. Some of the pupae were cleaned of fungal plaque, and the cells were closed so that no one could get into them. All these pupae turned into beetles at one time, that is, the cleaning of the fungus itself did not hurt them.

Another part of the pupae, having been cleaned of plaque, was put in cages where ants could penetrate — only 43% of them survived on the fourth day. And finally, a third of the pupae were not cleaned from anything and were also put in cages open to ants — 88% of these survived. That is, the fungus doubled the survival rate of Chelymorpha alternans pupae. Exactly how fusarium repels ants is not yet clear, although it is known that there are genes in the genome of the fungus that help to obtain substances with insecticidal properties.

At the same time, the beetle pays the fungus by helping it infect plants. Chelymorpha alternans beetles feed on sweet potatoes, and if a beetle with a fungus comes to the sweet potato, the plant is more likely to be affected by a fungal infection. When ten plants were left alone with two beetles that had just emerged from the “fungal” pupae, by the end of the month almost 80% of the sweet potato foliage was affected by the fungus.

However, the question arises, why would a beetle spoil its food by spreading fungus on it. In fact, here you need to accurately compare all the pros and cons. For a beetle, the danger of being eaten at the pupal stage can be much more serious than the danger of being left without sweet potato leaves due to protective mold; after all, the beetle can easily move to a new sweet potato that is not yet so badly affected by the fungus. In addition, it may be easier for a beetle to eat a moldy plant: after all, it feels the damage when it is eaten, and turns on the protective mechanisms, but if the plant is weakened by mold fusarium, it will no longer be able to defend itself too vigorously from the beetle.

A source: https://www.nkj.ru

Tags: antsbeetlesfungus
Previous Post

Nizhny Novgorod farmers complain of a shortage of corn and sugar beet seeds

Next Post

Shipments of pepper from Kyrgyzstan were stopped at the Kurgan border

Next Post
Shipments of pepper from Kyrgyzstan were stopped at the Kurgan border

Shipments of pepper from Kyrgyzstan were stopped at the Kurgan border

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Policy of vegetables.news app

© 2020-2024 VEGETABLES NEWS

No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
  • AGROTECHNOLOGY
  • IRRIGATION
  • SEED PRODUCTION
    • Vegetables
    • Fruit
  • PROCESSING

© 2020-2024 VEGETABLES NEWS