# Influence of the Chemical Properties of Cereal Grains on the Structure and Metabolism of the Bacteriome of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Its Development: A Cause–Effect Analysis

## TL;DR

This study shows how the chemical makeup of cereal grains affects the gut bacteria of a pest beetle, influencing its feeding and survival.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific grain chemicals that disrupt the microbiome and behavior of Rhyzopertha dominica, suggesting a novel pest control strategy.

## Key findings

- Grain cultivars significantly influence the microbiome, metabolism, and foraging of Rhyzopertha dominica.
- C18:2 fatty acids and antioxidants are linked to changes in bacterial composition and insect feeding behavior.
- Altering grain chemical properties could reduce pest adaptation and pesticide reliance.

## Abstract

Rhyzopertha dominica causes significant economic losses in stored cereals. Insects’ digestive tract microbiome is crucial for their development, metabolism, resistance, and digestion. This work aimed to test whether the different chemical properties of different wheat and barley grain cultivars cause disturbances in insect foraging and rearrangements of the structure of the R. dominica microbiome. The results indicated that grain cultivars significantly influence the microbiome, metabolism, and insect foraging. Most observed traits and microbiome structures were not correlated at the species level, as confirmed by ANOSIM (p = 0.441). However, the PLS-PM analysis revealed significant patterns within barley cultivars. The study found associations between C18:2 fatty acids, entomopathogenic bacteria, an impaired nitrogen cycle, lysine production of bacterial origin, and insect feeding. The antioxidant effects also showed trends towards impacting the microbiome and insect development. The findings suggest that manipulating grain chemical properties (increasing C18:2 and antioxidant levels) can influence the R. dominica microbiome, disrupting their foraging behaviours and adaptation to storage environments. This research supports the potential for breeding resistant cereals, offering an effective pest control strategy and reducing pesticide use in food production.