# Longitudinal dynamics of intestinal bacteria in the life cycle and their effects on growth and development of potato tuber moth

## TL;DR

This study explores how gut bacteria in potato tuber moths change during their life cycle and how these bacteria affect the moths' growth and development.

## Contribution

The study reveals the longitudinal dynamics of intestinal bacteria in potato tuber moths and their impact on host development across life stages.

## Key findings

- The gut microbiota of potato tuber moths is dominated by Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, with shifts in dominant species across developmental stages.
- Antibiotic treatment inhibits PTM development, while reintroducing gut bacteria promotes growth.
- Key bacterial species like Wolbachia, Enterococcus mundtii, Enterobacter ludwigii, and Serratia rubidaea dominate at specific life stages.

## Abstract

Potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an oligophagous pest that damages potatoes. Intestinal microorganisms play important roles in regulating the life activities of host insects. The gut of PTM is rich in microbials, but it is unclear that the dynamics of the structure and diversity of intestinal bacteria in the different development period of potato tuber moth. In this study, the dynamics of the intestinal bacterial community across the whole life cycle of PTM were evaluated using single molecule real-time sequencing. The intestinal microbiota of PTM is predominantly composed of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, and it is different with the difference of development stages. Wolbachia endosymbionts were the dominant species of intestinal symbiotic bacteria in eggs and the first-instar larvae. Enterococcus mundtii was the dominant species of intestinal symbiotic bacteria in the second, third, and the fourth instar larvae, as well as in both male and female pupae. Moreover, the predominant species of intestinal symbiotic bacteria in female adults is Enterobacter ludwigii, while the dominant bacterial species is Serratia rubidaea in male adults. Principal component analysis and non-metric Multi-dimensional scaling analysis confirmed the differences in intestinal symbiotic bacteria structure at different developmental stages. In addition, after reintroducing the bacteria following antibiotic treatment, it was found that the antibiotics significantly inhibited the development of the potato tuber moth, whereas the gut bacteria appeared to facilitate its growth. The findings of this study will enhance our understanding of intestinal microorganisms on the development of their host insects across the life cycle. Moreover, it will establish a foundation for elucidating the physiological functions of key microorganisms in the intestinal tract of the potato tuber moth, while also offering new insights and strategy to the biological control of this pest.