Multitrophic effects of belowground parasitoid learning

Abstract

The ability to learn allows organisms to take advantage of dynamic and ephemeral opportunities in their environment. Here we show that learning in belowground entomopathogenic nematodes has cascading multitrophic effects on their hosts, other nematodes, and nematophagous fungal predators. In addition to quantifying these effects, we show that social behavioral plasticity in these belowground parasitoids can amplify signaling by plant defense pathways and results in an almost doubling of insect herbivore infection by entomopathogenic nematodes. Cumulatively, these effects point to the critical role of plant signaling in regulating community structure while suggesting an equally important role for behavioral plasticity in shaping community dynamics.