Host Plant Dependence of the Symbiotic Microbiome of the Gall-Inducing Wasp <i>Trichagalma acutissimae</i>
Symbiotic bacteria play a pivotal role in the biology and ecology of herbivorous insects, affecting host growth and adaptation. However, the effects of host identity on the symbiotic microbiota of gall-inducing insects remain less explored. In this study, we utilized high-throughput sequencing to in...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/652 |
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| Summary: | Symbiotic bacteria play a pivotal role in the biology and ecology of herbivorous insects, affecting host growth and adaptation. However, the effects of host identity on the symbiotic microbiota of gall-inducing insects remain less explored. In this study, we utilized high-throughput sequencing to investigate the effects of different oak hosts on the structure and diversity of the symbiotic microbial community in the asexual larvae of the gall-inducing wasp <i>Trichagalma acutissimae</i>. Host plant species significantly altered the alpha and beta diversity of symbiotic microbiota of <i>T. acutissimae</i>. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria was the predominant microflora in both groups, with significantly higher abundance in larvae parasitizing <i>Quercus acutissima</i> than in those parasitizing <i>Q. variabilis</i>. <i>Pseudomonas</i>, which has been identified as responsible for tannin decomposition, was the most dominant genus in <i>T. acutissimae</i> larvae infesting both hosts. LEfSe analysis revealed substantial differences in the symbiotic microbial communities between the two hosts while also highlighting some commonalities. Functional prediction analysis indicated no significant difference in the functional roles of symbiotic bacteria between larvae infesting the two hosts. These findings suggest that the symbiotic microbiome of <i>T. acutissimae</i> larvae is influenced by host plant species, yet different microbial compositions may perform similar functions, implying the potential role of symbiotic microbiota in the adaptation to high-tannin oak leaves. This research enhances our understanding of the symbiotic relationship between forest pests and their associated microbes. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-4450 |