fungus comb

English

Etymology

Blend of fungus +‎ honeycomb

Noun

fungus comb (plural fungus combs)

1. A slurry of masticated or partially digested wood that termites create which is subsequently digested by white rot fungus to produce a byproduct that the termites can eat.
   • 2006, Helmut König, Ajit Varma, Intestinal Microorganisms of Termites and Other Invertebrates, page 346:

     This enzyme might be responsible for the degradation of phenolics in the fungus comb.

   • 2012, Bozzano G Luisa, Insect-Fungus Interactions, page 74:

     The sexual stage of the fungus, the basidiocarp, arises as a pseudorhiza from a fungus comb and continues as a stipe, terminating in a cap with a prominent umbo or perforatorium.

   • 2018, Omkar, Pests and Their Management, page 928:

     Fungus comb also serves as food source, especially in adverse climatic conditions or when food is scarce.

   • 2020, Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life, page 211:

     The termites chew wood into a slurry which they regugitate in fungal gardens, known as the 'fungus comb', by contrast with bees' honeycomb.