Microbial Influence on Plant-Insect Interaction

Plants and insects live in a microbial world, and the co-existence have shaped their ecology and evolution. These microbial allies play an essential role in the health, well-being, and vigor of their hosts and are often considered as “hidden players” in plant-insect interaction. The present chapter attempts to cover the contribution of microbes as drivers of plant-insect interaction where the microbial companions directly or indirectly influence the plant-insect interaction. The chapter also emphasizes the diversity of microbial communities linked with both plants and insects and their contribution toward plant-insect interaction from an ecological standpoint. It further deals with the recent updates on the use of microorganisms in pest management and the implications of microbes as a toolbox in future IPM strategies.