Fungal symbiont cells

The symbiont is applied to the brood cell, where it is taken up by the larva. At the time of pupation, the bacteria are found in large numbers on the cocoon. It has been shown that the presence of symbiont confers a greater resistance against fungal infection because of the production of an antibiotic (128). 

Investigations with A. fuscata have shown that the functional interplay between the symbionts occurs during the second stage of synthesis, i.e., when the algal cells are enveloped by fungal pseudoparenchyma. A recent study (Hill and Ahmadjian, 1972) indicates that a relationship may exist even before there is an observable physical union between the symbionts. 

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