Biological defense system of fungi against fungivores insects using parasitoid wasps

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15562
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 40010:Forest science-related
• Research Institution: Forest Research and Management Organization
• Principal Investigator: Mukai Hiromi 国立研究開発法人森林研究・整備機構, 森林総合研究所, 主任研究員 等 (70747766)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 化学生態 / 相互作用 / 菌類 / 生物防御 / 寄生蜂

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project aimed to elucidate the biological defense system of fungi by using shiitake mushroom, fungus gnats, and their natural enemies, the parasitoid wasps. Parasitoid wasps got attracted to the odor of fungi, and mycelial block which have been consumed by larvae of the fungus gnats. When the mycelium was physically damaged, it increased volatile compounds such as monoterpene alcohols, which have also been reported in plants. We also discovered that the larva-infested mycelium increased the amount of fungus-specific compounds (not yet identified). In addition, the parasitoids exhibited electrophysiological antennal response to these special odor components. These results suggest that shiitake fungi attract the parasitoid wasps by using a combination of fungus-specific compounds in addition to plant-specific compounds to control the feeding damage of fungus-eating insects.

Free Research Field

森林生態学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は，植物と菌類で共通のメカニズムにより寄生バチを利用した防御戦略が獲得されている可能性を示すものであり，界を超えた生物の収斂進化の理解を推し進める新たなモデル系となり得る。植物で既知の防御戦略概念や理論を菌類にも適用可能とし，植物と菌類をめぐる生物間相互作用の統一的な理解，及び腐食連鎖内における生物間相互作用研究の飛躍的な発展が，今後期待される。また菌類をめぐる生物間相互作用における行動生態学・群集生態学的知見を科学的に解明することで，土着性天敵寄生バチの化学誘引剤の開発等により総合的病害虫管理（IPM）に繋げ，食用きのこ栽培管理技術の発展にも寄与できる。