Original paper

Endophytic Beauveria bassiana triggers flavonoid-mediated antixenosis in tomato against phloem-feeding whiteflies

Wang, Xian; Liao, Shu-Ran; Yan, Gan-Wei; Chen, Hao-Lin; Qiu, Bao-Li; Liu, Huai; Wang, Zi-Ying

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Entomologia Generalis Volume 46 Number 1 (2026), p. 235 - 247

published: Mar 31, 2026
published online: Jan 7, 2026
manuscript accepted: Oct 18, 2025
final revised version received: Aug 17, 2025
manuscript revision requested: May 12, 2025
manuscript received: Feb 10, 2025

DOI: 10.1127/entomologia/3384

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ArtNo. ESP146004601020, Price: 29.00 €

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Abstract

The tripartite interaction among entomopathogenic fungi, host plants, and phytophagous arthropods constitutes a pivotal research frontier in sustainable agriculture. Although previous studies have reported impaired fitness of phloem-feeding pests on fungal-endophytic plants, the underlying phytochemical mechanisms remain poorly characterized. This study systematically investigates Beauveria bassiana-induced systemic anti-herbivore effects in tomato through secondary metabolite reprogramming targeting Bemisia tabaci. Morphometric analysis revealed significant reductions in body length and mass of female whiteflies feeding on root-drenched tomatoes (vs. control). Transgenerational analysis revealed progressive declines in female fecundity (up to 31% reduction) in F1 and F2 generations. Targeted metabolomic profiling identified 30 significantly accumulated flavonols in phloem exudates of fungal-treated plants, including 21 quercetin glycosides showing 2.08–7.76-fold increases (e.g., Quercetin-3-O-robinobioside, Quercetin-5-O-β-D-glucoside, Quercetin-7-O-glucoside). Coordinated upregulation of core biosynthetic genes (PAL, 4CL, C4H, CHS, CHI, F3’H, F3H, FLS, UGT) confirmed systemic activation of the flavonol pathway. Our results demonstrate that B. bassiana root drenching induces phloem-specific accumulation of quercetin derivatives via transcriptional reprogramming, effectively compromising whitefly development and reproductive fitness. This study provides novel mechanistic insights into fungal endophyte-mediated enhancement of plant defenses against phloem-feeding insects.

Keywords


Bemisia tabaci
• systemic resistance • quercetin glycoside • plant–insect–fungus interactions • secondary metabolites • transgenerational effects • UDP-glycosyltransferase