Microbial associates of the elm leaf beetle: uncovering the absence of resident bacteria and the influence of fungi on insect performance.

ABSTRACT: Microbial symbionts play crucial roles in the biology of many insects. While bacteria have been the primary focus of research on insect-microbe symbiosis, recent studies suggest that fungal symbionts may be just as important. The elm leaf beetle (ELB, Xanthogaleruca luteola) is a serious pest species of field elm (Ulmus minor). Using culture-dependent and independent methods, we investigated the abundance and species richness of bacteria and fungi throughout various ELB life stages and generations, while concurrently analyzing microbial communities on elm leaves. No persistent bacterial community was found to be associated with the ELB or elm leaves. By contrast, fungi were persistently present in the beetle's feeding life stages and on elm leaves. Fungal community sequencing

SUBMITTER: Schott J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10807431 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature