Abstract
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? 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 both honeydew agar medium and quartz tests showed that the honeydew can attract and promote the mycelial growth of P. portentosus. A test of the relationship between the honeydew and the formation of the fungus-insect gall showed that honeydew promoted gall formation. All experimental results in this study show that the honeydew secreted by mealy bugs can attract and promote the mycelial growth of P. portentosus, forming a fungus-insect gall, because mealy bugs' honeydew is rich in amino acids and sugars.
Highlights
Phlebopus portentosus (Berk. & Broome) Boedijn is a delectable wild edible fungus in the pantropical region of Yunnan, Panzhihua of Sichuan, southern Guangxi Prov., China
All experimental results in this study show that the honeydew secreted by mealy bugs can attract and promote the mycelial growth of P. portentosus, forming a fungus-insect gall, because mealy bugs’ honeydew is rich in amino acids and sugars
P. portentosus is the only species in the Boletales that can produce sporocarps in culture without a host plant [2,7,8]
Summary
Phlebopus portentosus (Berk. & Broome) Boedijn is a delectable wild edible fungus in the pantropical region of Yunnan, Panzhihua of Sichuan, southern Guangxi Prov., China. & Broome) Boedijn is a delectable wild edible fungus in the pantropical region of Yunnan, Panzhihua of Sichuan, southern Guangxi Prov., China. It has been found in Thailand and Sri Lanka [1,2,3,4,5,6]. 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?
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
