Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Preparing and Rearing Axenic Insects with Tissue Cultured Seedlings for Host-Gut Microbiota Interaction Studies of the Leaf Beetle
Published on: October 8, 2021
Evolution, multifunctionality, and agricultural potential of insect microbiomes and the holobiont concept
Wei Zhang1, Ioannis Eleftherianos2, Amr Mohamed3
1State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guizhou University, Huaxi District, Guiyang 550025, China.
None:
Insect-associated microbiomes, as co-evolved members of the holobiont, play pivotal roles in host physiology, ecological resilience, and evolutionary innovation. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding microbial symbionts' contributions to metabolic adaptation, insecticide detoxification, and immune modulation. Framed within hologenome theory-which posits host-microbe assemblages as units of natural selection-we explore co-evolutionary dynamics driving mutualistic specialization and adaptive plasticity. Cutting-edge tools like genome editing and metagenomics reveal how gut microbiota mediate cross-kingdom interactions, insecticide resistance, and reproductive fitness. Intriguingly, microbial symbionts can enhance host resistance through detoxification while sensitizing hosts to specific toxins, highlighting context-dependent trade-offs. Targeted manipulation of microbial consortia-via detoxification disruption or symbiont engineering-offers new avenues for sustainable pest control, though ecological risks demand rigorous biosafety protocols. A paradigm shift toward holobiont-centered models promises unified strategies for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation in the Anthropocene.
More Related Videos
12:11Identification of Metabolically Active Bacteria in the Gut of the Generalist Spodoptera littoralis via DNA Stable Isotope Probing Using 13C-Glucose
Published on: November 13, 2013
12:55Fast Colony Forming Unit Counting in 96-Well Plate Format Applied to the Drosophila Microbiome
Published on: January 13, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
Introduction to the Human Microbiota
Evolutionary Processes in Microbes
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Microbial Morphologies
Introduction to Microbial Ecology