Characterizing fungal community shifts associated with Amauromyza karli Hendel (Diptera: Agromyzidae) infestation in quinoa

Introduction: Fungal communities are central elements of phytobiomes, yet their roles in mediating plant-insect interactions remain poorly understood. Here, we addressed this knowledge gap in quinoa, which has recently suffered significant losses due to a stem-boring pest. Methods: Hendel (Diptera: Agromyzidae). Results: spp. dominated in low-abundance fields. Discussion: These results indicated that community composition impacted pest pressure, with pathogenic fungi coinciding with higher fly abundance and entomopathogenic fungi enriched where larval pressure was lower. These findings identify candidate taxa for microbiome-informed integrated pest management and underscore the potential of site-specific practices (e.g., intercrops, organic amendments) to foster fungal communities that enhance quinoa resilience.