Gut bacteria mediated adaptation of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, to secondary metabolites of host plants.

Xiaofeng Xia, Qian Wang, Geoff M Gurr, Liette Vasseur, Shuncai Han, Minsheng You

mSystems 2023 Dec 21

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In this study, we identify an important role of gut bacteria in mediating the adaptation of diamondback moth (DBM) to plant secondary metabolites. We demonstrate that kaempferol's presence in radish seedlings greatly reduces the fitness of DBM with depleted gut biota. Reinstatement of gut biota, particularly Enterobacter sp. EbPXG5, improved insect performance by degrading kaempferol. This bacterium was common in the larval gut of DBM, lining the epithelium as a protective film. Our work highlights the role of symbiotic bacteria in insect herbivore adaptation to plant defenses and provides a practical and mechanistic framework for developing a more comprehensive understanding of insect-gut microbe-host plant co-evolution.

Citation

Xiaofeng Xia, Qian Wang, Geoff M Gurr, Liette Vasseur, Shuncai Han, Minsheng You. Gut bacteria mediated adaptation of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, to secondary metabolites of host plants. mSystems. 2023 Dec 21;8(6):e0082623