Sample collection

Isolation of microbial communities from termite fungus combs

Isolation of microbial communities from the guts of termite workers

Isolation of Xylaria spp. from incubated termite-fungus combs

DNA extraction, PCR amplification and sequencing

Phylogenetic analyses

Preparation of conidial suspensions and virulence assessment in vitro

Behavioural responses of termites towards weedy Xylaria and entomopathogenic Metarhizium

Co-culture assays of microbial interactions in vitro

Diversity analysis and visualisation

Diversity and compositional profile of comb- and gut-associated bacterial isolates

Diversity and compositional profile of comb- and gut-associated fungal isolates

Diversity of induced comb-specialised Xylaria spp

Insecticidal activity of Metarhizium sp. Cmu-b60 against fungus-growing termites

Termite behavioural responses towards mycelial plugs of comb weeds (Xylaria) and termite entomopathogen (Metarhizium)

Repellent effect of Metarhizium conidia-contaminated food on termites

In vitro inhibition of comb weeds (Xylaria) and termite entomopathogen (Metarhizium) by termite-associated bacterial isolates

Conflict of interest

Ethical statement

Artificial Intelligence (AI) use

Adherence to national and international regulations

Funding

Author contributions

Author ORCIDs

Data availability