Insect-microbiome interactions in a changing world

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Microbiology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Human activities significantly alter global environments, impacting insect populations and their microbial symbionts.
• Insect microbial symbionts are vital for host physiology, including nutrient acquisition, detoxification, and reproduction.
• Growing interest surrounds the effects of anthropogenic global change on insect populations and their associated microbiomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent studies on the effects of anthropogenic global change on insect microbial symbioses.
• To focus on the impacts of climate change and habitat loss/degradation on insect-associated microbes.
• To synthesize findings across diverse ecosystems and continents.

Main Methods:

• Compilation and synthesis of recent experimental and observational studies.
• Analysis of impacts from climate change (warming temperatures) and habitat alteration (loss and degradation).
• Examination of effects on microbial community composition and diversity (alpha diversity).

Main Results:

• Global change significantly alters insect microbial community composition, commonly reducing species diversity (alpha diversity).
• Warming temperatures directly increase symbiont mortality, as they are more sensitive to thermal stress than free-living bacteria.
• Habitat loss and degradation alter insect microbiomes through changes in food sources and environmental substrates; chemical pollution also impacts insect microbiomes.

Conclusions:

• Human-induced climate change negatively affects insect symbionts, with potential cascading effects on ecosystems.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the global-scale impacts of environmental change on insect microbiomes and ecosystems.
• Insect microbial symbioses are sensitive indicators of environmental health and global change.