Fungal Pathogen Infection by Metarhizium anisopliae Alters Climbing Behavior of Lymantria dispar with Tree-Top Disease Induced by LdMNPV

Abstract

Certain parasites manipulate host behavior following infection to enhance their own dispersal and transmission. Lepidopteran larvae infected with baculoviruses exhibit increased locomotion, ascending to the apex of their host plant where they ultimately die in a characteristic inverted, liquefied posture suspended by their prolegs-a phenomenon termed "tree-top disease". Although numerous studies have investigated the underlying causes of this behavior, the precise mechanism governing tree-top disease formation remains unresolved. In this study, Lymantria dispar larvae were infected with Metarhizium anisopliae and Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV). We compared symptom profiles across infection modes and assessed virulence, demonstrating that M. anisopliae infection alters the hyperactive state induced by LdMNPV in larvae exhibiting tree-top disease. Specifically, M. anisopliae promoted tree-top disease behavior during early infection stages but suppressed it during later stages. Furthermore, the symptomatology of larvae co-infected with both pathogens differed significantly from that observed in larvae infected with either M. anisopliae or LdMNPV alone. Co-infected larvae also exhibited accelerated mortality compared to those infected with a single pathogen. The above findings indicate that L. dispar larvae, when co-infected with LdMNPV and M. anisopliae may change behavioral responses that could further modulate the pathogenesis of LdMNPV-induced tree-top disease. Furthermore, a synergistic interaction between M. anisopliae and LdMNPV was observed in the biocontrol of L. dispar.

Keywords: LdMNPV; Lymantria dispar; Metarhizium anisopliae; behavior change; tree-top disease.

Figure 1

The death symptoms of L. dispar larvae infected by LdMNPV. (a) 4 d; (b) 6 d; (c) 8 d.

Figure 2

The death symptoms of L. dispar larvae infected by Strain HJN-G3-2C of M. anisopliae. (a) 4 d; (b) 6 d; (c) 8 d.

Figure 3

The death symptoms of L. dispar larvae infected by M. anisopliae and LdMNPV. (a) Co-infected by strain HJN-G3-2C of M. anisopliae and LdMNPV; (b) infected by strain HJN-G3-2C of M. anisopliae; (c) infected by LdMNPV.

Figure 4

The cumulative adjusted mortality and percent survival of 2C and LdMNPV. (a) Cumulative adjusted mortality; (b) percent survival. Note: 2C: Strain HJN-G3-2C of M. anisopliae.

Figure 5

Climbing speed after mixed infection with 2C and viruses. Note: 2C: Strain HJN-G3-2C of M. anisopliae. Lowercase letters designate a significant difference among different tissues at the same timepoint. (p < 0.05). Data are shown as means ± standard errors (SEs).