The Ground Beetle Poecilus (Carabidae) Gut Microbiome and Its Functionality

Area of Science:

• Entomology
• Microbiology
• Ecology

Background:

• Ground beetles (Poecilus) are vital for pest control and soil health.
• Their gut microbiomes are understudied, yet crucial for understanding insect-microbe interactions and environmental impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the gut microbiome of Poecilus beetles from organic and conventional tomato fields.
• To identify core microbiota, novel taxa, and potential pathogens.
• To investigate the influence of agricultural practices on beetle gut microbial communities and predicted functions.

Main Methods:

• Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) were employed.
• Prevalence-abundance filtering was used to identify core microbiota.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing and comparative genomic analysis were performed for functional predictions.

Main Results:

• Dominant genera identified include Gilliamella, Weissella, Enterobacter, and Enterococcus.
• Carnobacterium and Nosema ceranae were detected in insect hosts for the first time.
• Beetles from conventional fields exhibited lower microbial diversity and metabolic potential, suggesting dysbiosis and stress.
• Pathogens like Nosema and Serratia were identified, providing insights into pathogen dynamics.

Conclusions:

• The gut microbiome of Poecilus beetles is significantly shaped by agricultural management.
• Environmental factors and farming practices can impact beetle health and ecological functions.
• Poecilus beetles serve as valuable bioindicators for soil ecosystem health and agroecological monitoring.