Experimental Evolution of Insect Immune Memory VS. Pathogen Resistance

Abstract

2Under strong pathogen pressure, insects often evolve resistance to infection. Many insects are also 3 protected via immune memory ('immune priming'), whereby sub-lethal exposure to a pathogen 4 enhances survival after secondary infection. To understand the evolution and consequences of these 5 immune responses, we imposed strong pathogen selection on flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum), 6infecting them with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for 11 generations. Populations injected first with heat-