The Diversity and Dynamics of Fungi in Dryocosmus kuriphilus Community

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Dryocosmus kuriphilus is an invasive pest species which is native to China and is widely distributed in Asia, Europe and North America. D. kuriphilus induces insect galls on chestnut trees, and fungi can cause the necrosis of chestnut trees and the death of D. kuriphilus. The aim of this research was to investigate the potential role of D. kuriphilus in the transmission of fungi. We provide the first evidence that D. kuriphilus adults shared most fungal species with associated insect galls and the galled twigs of Castanea mollissima, and were dominated by Botryosphaeria sp., Aspergillus sp. and Diaporthe sp. Furthermore, we suggest that D. kuriphilus adults may be potential vectors of plant pathogens and mediate the transmission of fungi between chestnut trees. ABSTRACT: Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) is a gall wasp that induces insect galls on chestnut trees and results in massive yield losses worldwide. Fungi can cause the necrosis of chestnut trees and the death of gall wasps. The aim of this research was to investigate the potential role of D. kuriphilus in the transmission of fungi. We sequenced the ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer region 1 of fungi in D. kuriphilus adults, associated insect galls and the galled twigs of Castanea mollissima, using high-throughput sequencing. We compared the species richness, α-diversity and community structure of fungi in D. kuriphilus adults, insect galls and the galled twigs. We provide the first evidence that D. kuriphilus adults shared most fungal species with associated insect galls and the galled twigs, and were dominated by Botryosphaeria sp., Aspergillus sp. and Diaporthe sp. We suggest D. kuriphilus adults may be potential vectors of plant pathogens and may facilitate the transmission of fungi between chestnut trees. Furthermore, the fungi may horizontally transmit among D. kuriphilus adults, associated insect galls and the galled twigs.