Acremonium Endophyte Interactions with Enhanced Plant Resistance to Insects

Since the discovery of the effects of endophytes in the genus Acremonium on insect resistance, our understanding of these fungi has progressed greatly. However, many interactions associated with the endophytes, their hosts, and insect herbivores affect the use and expression of this resistance. This review centers on these topics, focusing on our current thinking about the use of endophyte-enhanced resistance to insects. A broader perspective is stressed in the belief that this phenomenon is only one example of many microbial-plant interactions that affect insect resistance. I begin with a review of the biology of the Acremonium endophytes, followed by a discussion of other fungal endophytes and fungal-plant interactions that result in increased insect resistance. The status of our knowledge of the effects of Acremonium endophytes on insect resistance is then presented. Finally, plant breeding, resistance management, and other influences endophytes have on agroecosystems are discussed.