Discovering the ecological roles of entomopathogenic fungi in tropical rainforests

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) play various ecological roles in maintaining the stability of the tropical rainforests. Besides regulating insect population, EPF contribute significantly to nutrient cycling and tree health. These soil-dwelling fungi interact with arthropods and trees through endophytic and rhizosphere associations. The symbiotic relationship between EPF and plants promotes resistance and tolerance against pests and diseases via host induced systemic and volatile-mediated defence responses. EPF also facilitate nutrient recycling by decomposing insect cadavers and solubilising soil nutrients for plant uptake. Despite their ecological importance, EPF diversity and its ecological function in tropical rainforests remain underexplored. Hence, future research integrating soil nutrient levels, insect populations and tree species is crucial to better elucidate the ecological roles of EPF in tropical rainforests. This review highlights the need for conserving EPF as part of the tropical ecosystems to sustain soil health and forest resilience in the face of deforestation and climate change.