Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42515062›Full record

ReviewPathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Endophytic Entomopathogenic Fungi Shape Herbivore Behavior and Plant-Insect Interactions: Implications for Biological Control.

Rana H M Hussien, Alexandra M Kortsinoglou, Martyn J Wood, Vassili N Kouvelis, Wanissa Mellikeche, Mustapha Touray, Babalwa Tembeni, Mazen Alzain, Faisal Alotaibi, Islam S Sobhy and 4 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Rana H M HussienPlant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza 12511, Egypt.
Alexandra M KortsinoglouSection of Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-4667-7290
Martyn J WoodInstitute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (IMBB-FORTH), Nikolaou Plastira 100, GR-70013 Heraklion, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-3229-7932
Vassili N KouvelisSection of Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0001-6753-0872
Wanissa MellikecheNatural Products BioHub, Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
Mustapha TourayNatural Products BioHub, Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-9550-0782
Babalwa TembeniNatural Products BioHub, Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
Mazen AlzainDepartment of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
Faisal AlotaibiDepartment of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
Islam S SobhySchool of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.
Zack SaudInfection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK.
E Joel LoveridgeDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-8528-4019
Daniel C EastwoodDepartment of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-7015-0739
Tariq M ButtDepartment of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-8789-9543

Funding

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council EP/X525637/1Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research 2019-2022Saudi Arabia Cultural Bureau in London NAUK Research and Innovation UKRI239
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are well established as biological control agents, but their emerging role as endophytes reveals a broader and more powerful function in crop protection. By colonizing plant tissues, endophytic entomopathogenic fungi (EEPF) create a dynamic tripartite interaction between plants, fungi, and herbivores, enabling systemic, plant-mediated pest suppression. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the behavioral and ecological responses of herbivorous arthropods to EEPF-colonized plants, with an emphasis on the mechanisms and implications for integrated pest management (IPM). Growing evidence indicates that EEPF consistently modify herbivore behavior and performance across diverse crops and insect taxa. Colonization frequently alters feeding, host selection, and oviposition, often deterring pests, although mediated responses may vary among fungal species, host plants, insect taxa, and environmental conditions. These responses are driven by EEPF-induced changes in plant chemistry, including shifts in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and defensive metabolites. In parallel, EEPF impair insect fitness by delaying development, reducing survival, and lowering fecundity, thereby suppressing pest populations. These plant-mediated and behavioral changes extend to multitrophic interactions, potentially affecting associations with natural enemies and the transmission efficiency of some insect vectors of plant viruses. Despite rapid progress, critical gaps remain in resolving the mechanistic basis of these interactions and their stability under field conditions. Advancing the application of EEPF will require integrated approaches combining microbial ecology, chemical ecology, and insect behavioral biology. Harnessing these interactions offers a compelling pathway to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides while enhancing the resilience and sustainability of agricultural systems.

Indexed as

EndophytesFungiHerbivoryInsectaPest Control, BiologicalPlantsAnimalsHost-Pathogen Interactionsarthropod crop pestsendophytic entomopathogenic fungifitnessoviposition behaviorpest developmentplant physiologysurvival

Identifiers

PMID42515062
PMCPMC13416374

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.