Wireworm-Associated Microbial Communities and their Implications on Biological Control.

ABSTRACT: Wireworms (larvae of different click beetles, Elateridae) are significant soil-borne pest species that can cause severe crop losses. They are difficult to control, and biocontrol using entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) display variable field efficacy. To understand microbial interactions and improve biological control, we studied the interplay between insect and soil microbiota in four wireworm species (Agriotes spp.) at temporal and spatial scales. We found that microbiota associated with wireworms are species-specific and primarily soil-derived. Our results further indicate that ectosymbiotic bacterial community composition on wireworm cuticles is relatively stable over time in specimens not deceasing from spontaneous entomopathogen infection. Therefore, successful microbiome homeostasis on c

SUBMITTER: Wolfgang A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12808278 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature