Let me share with you a difference between parasitic fungi and predatory fungi.
| Aspect | Parasitic Fungi | Predatory Fungi |
| Mode of nutrition | Derive nutrients from living host organisms | Derive nutrients from other fungi, nematodes, or small organisms |
| Mode of Infection | May infect host tissues through specialized structures known as haustoria | Use specialized structures such as constriction rings to capture and immobilize prey |
| Life Cycle | Typically involve stages of infection, colonization, and reproduction on or within the host. | Often involve stages of recognition, capture, penetration and nutrient absorption from the prey. |
| Role in biological control | Some parasitic fungi are used in biological control to manage pest populations | Some predatory fungi are considered for biological control of nematodes or insect pests |
| Symbiotic relationships | Generally considered pathogens, but some have mutualistic relationships | Typically do not form mutualistic relationships, as their interaction involves killing and consuming other organisms |
| Examples
|
· Rusts
· Smuts · Powdery mildews in plant pathology |
· Arthrobotrys
· Dactylella · Zoophagus · Fungi in the order Orbiliales |