Fig 1.
Model of fungal-mediated nutrient transfer in tripartite interactions between EIPF, plants, and insects.
The fungal hyphae colonize both partners (circles depict plant and larval tissue colonized by EIPF mycelium) with different effects. The fungus obtains nitrogen (N) by digesting insect tissue and transfers it to the plant. In addition, plant-derived carbon (C) is moved from the plant to the fungus. EIPF, endophytic insect-pathogenic fungi.