Belowground insect herbivory is an important interaction that can shape ecological communities above- and belowground. A key component of belowground ecosystems are the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi that associate with roots of most terrestrial plants. Despite the shared ecological significance of root herbivores and AM fungi, there is an absence of data on how insect root herbivory affects root-colonising AM fungal diversity. This study explored the impacts of root herbivory (from Dermolepida alborhirtum) on the diversity and community composition of AM fungi colonising plant roots (Dichanthium sericeum) and assessed the effects on plant growth and nutrient uptake. Belowground herbivory significantly altered AM fungal community structure and reduced species richness, potentially removing fungal taxa sensitive to root-herbivore disturbance. Meanwhile, herbivory also reduced root biomass and aboveground phosphorus. These findings demonstrate how belowground herbivores can directly shape AM fungal communities in plant roots.

地下昆虫食草是一种重要的相互作用，可以塑造地上和地下的生态群落。地下生态系统的一个关键组成部分是与大多数陆生植物的根相关的丛枝菌根 (AM) 真菌。尽管根草食动物和 AM 真菌具有共同的生态意义，但缺乏关于昆虫根草食如何影响根定植 AM 真菌多样性的数据。本研究探讨了食草根（来自Dermolepida alborhirtum ）对定植植物根部的 AM 真菌（ Dichanthium sericeum）的多样性和群落组成的影响。) 并评估了对植物生长和养分吸收的影响。地下食草动物显着改变了 AM 真菌群落结构并降低了物种丰富度，可能会去除对根草食动物干扰敏感的真菌类群。同时，食草也减少了根系生物量和地上磷。这些发现证明了地下食草动物如何直接塑造植物根部的 AM 真菌群落。