Gut microbial community supplementation and reduction modulates African armyworm susceptibility to a baculovirus

Abstract

Gut microbiota stimulates the immune system and inhibits pathogens, and thus, it is critical for disease prevention. Probiotics represent an effective alternative to antibiotics used for the therapy and prevention of bacterial diseases. Probiotic bacteria are commonly used in vertebrates, although their use in invertebrates is still rare. We manipulated the gut microbiome of the African Armyworm (Spodoptera exempta Walker) using antibiotics and field-collected frass, in an attempt to understand the interactions of the gut microbiome with the nucleopolyhedrovirus, SpexNPV. We found that S. exempta individuals with supplemented gut microbiome were significantly more resistant to SpexNPV, relative to those with a typical laboratory gut microbiome. Illumina MiSeq sequencing revealed the bacterial phyla in the S. exempta gut belonged to 28 different classes. Individuals with an increased abundance of Lactobacillales had a higher probability of surviving viral infection. In contrast, there was an increased abundance of Enterobacteriales and Pseudomonadales in individuals dying from viral infection, corresponding with decreased abundance of these two Orders in surviving caterpillars, suggesting a potential role for them in modulating the interaction between the host and its pathogen. These results have important implications for laboratory studies testing biopesticides.

Jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) Nanocrystalline Cellulose Inhibits Insect Virus via Gut Microbiota and Metabolism

“…The honey bee, a social insect, is of great value to humans since it is crucial for agricultural crop pollination and also serves as a model organism for scientific research. , The main benefit of honey bees as an attractive model system for gut microbiota research is that the typical bee workers have a straightforward and restricted gut community. , The most prevalent strains are typically Lactobacillus Firm-5, Lactobacillus Firm-4 ( Bombilactobacillus ), Gilliamella apicola, and Snodgrassella alvi. − An increased abundance of Lactobacillales was reported to increase resistance against nucleopolyhedrovirus infection in insect individuals ( African armyworm ), and the gut microbiota was also found to protect honey bees from viruses . Honey bees are known to be infected with different pathogens, and studies have focused on bee health to prevent colony loss .…”

“…10,11 The most prevalent strains are typically Lactobacillus Firm-5, Lactobacillus Firm-4 (Bomb-ilactobacillus), Gilliamella apicola, and Snodgrassella alvi. 10−12 An increased abundance of Lactobacillales was reported to increase resistance against nucleopolyhedrovirus infection in insect individuals (Af rican armyworm), 13 and the gut microbiota was also found to protect honey bees from viruses. 14 Honey bees are known to be infected with different pathogens, and studies have focused on bee health to prevent colony loss.…”