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Exploring Bacterial Communities and Functions in Phytophagous Halyomorpha halys and Predatory Arma chinensis
by
and
Hongmei Cheng
1,
Xiaoyu Yan
2,
Changjin Lin
1,
Yu Chen
2,
Le Ma
2,
Luyao Fu
1,
Xiaolin Dong
2 and
Chenxi Liu
1,* 1
Sino-American Biological Control Laboratory, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
2
Department of Entomology, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Insects 2025, 16(2), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020146
Submission received: 28 October 2024
/
Revised: 25 January 2025
/
Accepted: 29 January 2025
/
Published: 1 February 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Behavior and Pathology)
Simple Summary
Symbiotic bacteria play a crucial role in insects, exerting a profound impact on the phenotype and behavior of the host. Halyomorpha halys and Arma chinensis are closely related species of Pentatomidae with different feeding habits. Bacteria play a pivotal role in their behavior. Our investigation into microbial diversity within the feeding, digestive, and reproductive organs of the two species revealed significant differences across various organs. Notably, the gut, a vital digestive organ, harbors a more diverse array of microorganisms. Furthermore, bacteria present in the testes may have served as a critical driver in the genetic evolution of both species. Additionally, predatory A. chinensis exhibits an even more intricate bacterial diversity.
Abstract
The phytophagous Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a global agricultural pest that damages many crops. Conversely, the predatory Arma chinensis (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) shows promise as a biological control agent against lepidopteran and coleopteran pests. Halyomorpha halys and A. chinensis are closely related species with different feeding habits, as confirmed via genomic and morphological analyses. However, no study investigating the implications of these differences has been reported. Herein, 16S rRNA sequencing technology was employed to analyze the microbiota diversity and function in different tissues (salivary glands, gut, sperm, and ovaries) of H. halys and A. chinensis to elucidate these differences from a microbial perspective. Additionally, the adult male-to-female ratio in A. chinensis organs was statistically similar, while that in H. halys was not. Based on the dominance of the symbionts in the two bug species, we inferred that Sodalis is involved in reproduction and digestion in A. chinensis, while Spiroplasma and Pantoea play essential roles in H. halys reproduction and digestion. We analyzed the data on the microbial diversity of two bug species, laying a foundation for further understanding microbial symbiosis in A. chinensis and H. halys, which may inform the development of biological control strategies.
Keywords:
microbiota composition; feeding; digestion; reproduction; biological control
