Question

Insects that feed on fungi are called (i) ………………………….………. while those that feed on one host are known as (ii) ………………………………………

Answer 1

Insects that feed on fungi are called (i) fungivorous insects, while those that feed on one host are known as (ii) monophagous insects.

Fungivorous insects - Some ants, beetles and termites are fungivores. They are known to harvest fungi. When the harvested fungi mature, the insects feed on them. Granulate ambrosia beetle (Xylosandrus crassiusculus) farms fungi, such as several species of Ambrosiella, Ceratocystis, etc.

Monophagous insects - If the life cycle of an insect is dependent on only one plant, the insect is called a monophagous insect. In other words, a monophagous insect feeds on one host only. Coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) is a beetle that depends on Coffea arabica (Arabian coffee plant) for its whole life-cycle.