Mutualism between Gut-Borne Yeasts and Their Host, Thaumatotibia leucotreta, and Potential Usefulness in Pest Management

ABSTRACT: Thaumatotibia leucotreta is endemic to southern Africa and is highly significant for various fruit industries, including the South African citrus industry, due to its classification as a phytosanitary pest. Mutualistic associations between C. pomonella, closely related to T. leucotreta, and yeasts have previously been described and reported to reduce larval mortality and enhance larval development. Here, we determined which yeast species occur naturally in the gut of T. leucotreta larvae and investigated whether any of the isolated yeast species affect their behaviour and development. Navel oranges infested with T. leucotreta larvae were collected from geographically distinct provinces in South Africa, and the larvae were processed for analysis of naturally occurring associated yeasts. Six

SUBMITTER: van der Merwe M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8954841 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature