A response to Pennisi - “How do gut microbiomes help herbivores”, a hint into next-generation biocontrol solutions

Abstract

In a world where invasive invertebrate species can significantly compromise food security and where a dwindling range of synthetic pesticides remains our principal line of defence, testing a new invasion ecology hypothesis and understanding what makes a phytophagous insect invasive should be regarded as high priority research. Recent advances in microbiology strongly support the crucial and effective role of the gut microbiome in insect growth, development and, most importantly, environmental adaptation to their host plants. On the basis of recent literature, and following Elizabeth Pennisi's article published in the journal Science, we hypothesis that gut microbiome could be a critical determinant of invasion success in phytophagous insects, and that the uncovering of common traits in the gut microbiome of invasive insects, a "gut microbiome invasiveness signature", would open new avenues of research towards nextgeneration biocontrol solutions.

Wild apple-associated fungi and bacteria compete to colonize the larval gut of an invasive wood-borer Agrilus mali in Tianshan forests

“…There is an unexplored question in invasion ecology, and a study highlighted by E Pennisi [4] raised a new hypothesis: Could the gut microbiome determine the invasion success of phytophagous insects? [5]. Recent reports support the crucial role of gut micro ora in insect growth and development and in environmental adaptation [5,6].…”

“…[5]. Recent reports support the crucial role of gut micro ora in insect growth and development and in environmental adaptation [5,6]. Gut-associated microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses can be transiently or permanently transmitted to insects, and this relationship can be either bene cial or harmful [7,8].…”

Wild Apple-Associated Fungi and Bacteria Compete to Colonize the Larval Gut of an Invasive Wood-Borer Agrilus mali in Tianshan Forests

“…There is an unexplored question in invasion ecology, and a study highlighted by Pennisi (2017) raised a new hypothesis: Could the gut microbiome determine the invasion success of phytophagous insects? (Lefort et al, 2017). Recent reports support the crucial role of the gut microflora in insect growth and development and in environmental adaptation (Bahrndorff et al, 2016;Lefort et al, 2017).…”

“…(Lefort et al, 2017). Recent reports support the crucial role of the gut microflora in insect growth and development and in environmental adaptation (Bahrndorff et al, 2016;Lefort et al, 2017). Gut-associated microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses can be transiently or permanently transmitted to insects, and this relationship can be either beneficial or harmful (Feldhaar, 2011;Hammer et al, 2017).…”

Research Progress of the Gut Microbiome in Hybrid Fish

“…Host shifts can lead to phytophagous insects becoming invasive species [ 190 ]. It has already been demonstrated that the gut microbiome plays a vital role in phytophagous insect invasion success [ 191 ], and gut bacteria can assist in the successful invasion of insect species by regulating epigenetic factors related to the host [ 192 ]. Similarly, some biological mechanisms can enhance the success rate of invasive species, such as genetic diversity [ 193 ], reproductive rate [ 194 ], food resources [ 195 ], and hybridization [ 44 , 196 ].…”