Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Preparing and Rearing Axenic Insects with Tissue Cultured Seedlings for Host-Gut Microbiota Interaction Studies of the Leaf Beetle
06:56

Preparing and Rearing Axenic Insects with Tissue Cultured Seedlings for Host-Gut Microbiota Interaction Studies of the Leaf Beetle

Published on: October 8, 2021

2.6K

Microbiota and pathogens in an invasive bee: Megachile sculpturalis from native and invaded regions

Tina Tuerlings1, Amanda Hettiarachchi2, Marie Joossens2

  • 1Laboratory of Agrozoology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Insect Molecular Biology
|May 16, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The invasive bee Megachile sculpturalis has a distinct gut microbiome in invaded regions, differing from its native Japanese populations. This invasive bee lacks common bee pathogens, potentially aiding its successful spread.

Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Microbiology
  • Invasive Species Biology

Background:

  • The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in host health and ecological interactions.
  • Understanding the microbial communities of invasive species is key to explaining their success.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the bacterial, fungal, and parasite gut communities of the invasive bee Megachile sculpturalis.
  • To compare microbial communities between native (Japan) and invaded (USA, France) populations.
  • To investigate potential microbial interactions with native bee species.

Main Methods:

  • 16S rRNA and ITS2 amplicon sequencing for bacterial and fungal identification.
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for detecting bee microparasites.
  • Comparative analysis of microbial communities in M. sculpturalis and co-foraging native bees.

Main Results:

  • M. sculpturalis from invaded regions (USA, France) exhibited similar gut bacterial and fungal communities, distinct from Japanese populations.
  • Core microbial communities in M. sculpturalis likely represent beneficial environmental microbes.
  • Invasive M. sculpturalis lacked known bee pathogens, unlike native bees (Anthidium florentinum, Halictus scabiosae) which showed varying parasite loads.

Conclusions:

  • A distinct gut microbiota in invaded regions may be due to environmental shifts or a founder effect.
  • The absence of natural enemies (pathogens) could contribute to the invasion success of M. sculpturalis.
  • Further research is needed to understand the role of microbial interactions in biological invasions.
Keywords:
Anthidium florentinumHalictus scabiosaeMegachile sculpturalisgut microbiotaparasites

More Related Videos

Microscopy Techniques for Interpreting Fungal Colonization in Mycoheterotrophic Plants Tissues and Symbiotic Germination of Seeds11:48

Microscopy Techniques for Interpreting Fungal Colonization in Mycoheterotrophic Plants Tissues and Symbiotic Germination of Seeds

Published on: May 17, 2022

4.0K
Microbiota of Attine Ants' Gardens: Visualizing a Microbial Landscape by Scanning Electron Microscopy07:00

Microbiota of Attine Ants' Gardens: Visualizing a Microbial Landscape by Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: October 4, 2024

654

Related Concept Videos

Microbe-Plant Interactions01:09

Microbe-Plant Interactions

Microbe-plant interactions represent a dynamic spectrum of associations shaped by intricate chemical signaling. These interactions can be neutral, beneficial, or detrimental, and profoundly influence plant physiology, growth, and ecosystem function. The plant microbiome, comprising bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists, and viruses, plays a pivotal role in mediating these effects through surface colonization, internal colonization, or systemic symbiosis.Mutualistic associations, particularly with...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...