Entomopathogenic fungi: mechanisms of colonization in plants and functional roles

Abstract

Endophytic entomopathogenic fungi represent a functionally diverse group capable of infecting insects and colonizing plants, although the coexistence and ecological relevance of these functions are not always clearly established. This review synthesizes the available evidence on their taxonomic location, ecology, and endophytic interaction with plants, emphasizing the proposed colonization mechanisms and the experimental limitations that constrain its interpretation. This work examines the potential routes of establishment in plant tissues and the evidence regarding their influence on plant defense responses, considering the variability among fungal species, host plants, and environmental conditions. Reported effects on plant physiology are also analyzed, particularly those related to photosynthesis and nutrient dynamics, highlighting the need to distinguish between correlative evidence and causal relationships.