A Phloem-Feeding Insect Transfers Bacterial Endophytic Communities between Grapevine Plants

Abstract

Bacterial endophytes colonize the inner tissues of host plants through the roots or through discontinuities on the plant surface, including wounds and stomata. Little is known regarding a possible role of insects in acquiring and transmitting non-phytopathogenic microorganisms from plant to plant, especially those endophytes that are beneficial symbionts providing plant protection properties and homeostatic stability to the host. To understand the ecological role of insects in the transmission of endophytic bacteria, we used freshly hatched nymphs of the American sap-feeding leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus (vector) to transfer microorganisms across grapevine plants. After contact with the vector, sink plants were colonized by a complex endophytic community dominated by Proteobacteria, highly similar to that present in source plants. A similar bacterial community, but with a higher ratio of Firmicutes, was found on S. titanus. Insects feeding only on sink plants transferred an entirely different bacterial community dominated by Actinobacteria, where Mycobacterium sp., played a major role. Despite the fact that insects dwelled mostly on plant stems, the bacterial communities in plant roots resembled more closely those inside and on insects, when compared to those of above-ground plant organs. We prove here the potential of insect vectors to transfer entire endophytic bacterial communities between plants. We also describe the role of plants and bacterial endophytes in establishing microbial communities in plant-feeding insects.

Bacterial endophyte communities in Pinus flexilis are structured by host age, tissue type, and environmental factors

“…A soil-to-shoot acquisition path for seedling endophytes seems more likely than the opposite, although migration in both directions has been reported (e.g. Lòpez-Fernàndez et al 2017). Alternately, some of the endophyte taxa identified here could be seed-borne, which would also explain the dominance of a few OTUs across the seedlings.…”

Plant Latex, from Ecological Interests to Bioactive Chemical Resources

“…However, as usually happens in nature, nothing is 100 % certain. Consider, for example, that the role of herbivores in the transmission of bacteria that can later behave as endophytes has already been proven [137]. In that case even if not discussed by the authors, it is possible that the phloem could be as disperser of the bacterial community to all of the organs of the plant.…”

Midgut microbiota diversity of potato tuber moth associated with potato tissue consumed

“…Diet is a very important factor in shaping the gut microbiota of insects [31,44]. Plant endophytic bacteria might exist in plant-feeding insects and help regulate insect development [20,45]. In our study, PTM midgut microbes and potato endophytic communities showed significant differences.…”