The effects of endophytic Chaetomium fungus on insect herbivores

Chaetomium fungi have been reported to have anti-insect and anti-fungal properties. Chaetomium species have been recognized as antagonists against fungal plant pathogens such as Aspergillus flavus. Chaetomium metabolites (i.e., chetomin, chetocin, cochliodinol, etc) have been reported to negatively affect both insects and nematodes. We evaluated an endophytic Chaetomium sp. strain isolated from cotton plants in Texas for its effects against both nematodes and insect herbivores when present as an endophyte in greenhouse trials. When re-introduced into cotton as an endophyte, the Chaetomium isolate enhanced early plant growth and negatively affected root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) reproduction. The potential for anti-insect effects of the endpophytic Chaetomium isolate was examined in feeding assays using foliage-feeding grasshoppers (Schistocerca americana) and phloem-feeding aphids (Aphis gossypii).