Microorganisms have evolved to inhabit virtually all environments on the planet, from oceanic hot-seeps to pipelines transporting crude and refined hydrocarbons. Often microbial colonization of man-made structures results in the reduction of their service life requiring preemptive or corrective human intervention. Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is caused by a set of intricate bioelectrochemical interactions between a diverse group of microorganisms and metallic surfaces. The complexity of MIC microbiomes and their mechanisms as well as the logistics constraints of industrial facilities are factors to consider when choosing suitable analytical methods for MIC monitoring. These generally reflect only a partial view of the phenomenon and in consequence, might lead to ineffective mitigation measures. This paper acknowledges the discrepancies between the fieldwork for MIC monitoring and the currently available technological advancements. It also highlights the most pressing issues that operators have in the field in light of the diversity of the microbial key players present in corrosive microbiomes. Finally, it compiles and outlines a strategy for the integration of novel molecular approaches aiming for a practical and accurate assessment of the microbial threat.

A country’s biodiversity is a key resource for the development of a sustainable bioeconomy. However, often the most biodiverse countries on the planet hardly profit from their biological diversity. On the contrary, occasionally components of that biodiversity become a threat to society and its food sustainability. That is the case of the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis. Here, the analysis of the bacteria associated with the digestive tract of D. saccharalis reveals a rich and diverse microbiota. Two types of diets were analyzed under laboratory conditions. The metataxonomic analysis revealed a number of taxa common to most of the larval pools analyzed with relative abundances exceeding 5%, and five families of bacteria which have also been reported in the gut of another Lepidoptera. A large fraction of microorganisms detected by amplicon sequencing were considered to be rare and difficult to cultivate. However, among the cultivable microorganisms, 12 strains with relevant biotechnological features were identified. The strain that showed the highest cellulolytic activity (GCEP-101) was genome sequenced. The analysis of the GCEP-101 complete genome revealed that the values of 16S rRNA identity, the Average Nucleotide Identity, and the digital DNA–DNA hybridization place the strain as a candidate for a new species within the genus Pseudomonas. Moreover, the genome annotation of the putative new species evidenced the presence of genes associated with cellulose degradation, revealing the hidden potential of the pest as a reservoir of biotechnologically relevant microorganisms.