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Wilberts L, Vuts J, Caulfield JC, Thomas G, Withall DM, Wäckers F, Birkett MA, Jacquemyn H, Lievens B. Effects of root inoculation of entomopathogenic fungi on olfactory-mediated behavior and life-history traits of the parasitoid Aphidius ervi (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Pest Manag Sci 2024; 80:307-316. [PMID: 37682693 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although most biological control programs use multiple biological agents to manage pest species, to date only a few programs have combined the use of agents from different guilds. Using sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), the entomopathogenic fungus Akanthomyces muscarius ARSEF 5128, the tobacco peach aphid Myzus persicae var. nicotianae and the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi as the experimental model, we explored whether root inoculation with an entomopathogenic fungus is compatible with parasitoid wasps for enhanced biocontrol of aphids. RESULTS In dual-choice behavior experiments, A. ervi was significantly attracted to the odor of M. persicae-infested C. annuum plants that had been inoculated with A. muscarius, compared to noninoculated infested plants. There was no significant difference in attraction to the odor of uninfested plants. Myzus persicae-infested plants inoculated with A. muscarius emitted significantly higher amounts of indole, (E)-nerolidol, (3E,7E)-4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene and one unidentified terpene compared to noninoculated infested plants. Coupled gas chromatography-electroantennography, using the antennae of A. ervi, confirmed the physiological activity of these elevated compounds. Inoculation of plants with A. muscarius did not affect parasitism rate nor parasitoid longevity, but significantly increased the speed of mummy formation in parasitized aphids on fungus-inoculated plants. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that root inoculation of C. annuum with A. muscarius ARSEF 5128 alters the olfactory-mediated behavior of parasitoids, but has little effect on parasitism efficiency or life-history parameters. However, increased attraction of parasitoids towards M. persicae-infested plants when inoculated by entomopathogenic fungi can accelerate host localization and hence improve biocontrol efficacy. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbet Wilberts
- CMPG Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - József Vuts
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - John C Caulfield
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - Gareth Thomas
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - David M Withall
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - Felix Wäckers
- Biobest, Westerlo, Belgium
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Michael A Birkett
- Protecting Crops and the Environment, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - Hans Jacquemyn
- Leuven Plant Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Lievens
- CMPG Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Wilberts L, Rojas-Preciado N, Jacquemyn H, Lievens B. Fungal strain and crop cultivar affect growth of sweet pepper plants after root inoculation with entomopathogenic fungi. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1196765. [PMID: 37342144 PMCID: PMC10277683 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1196765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
As endophytes, entomopathogenic fungi can protect plants against biotic and abiotic stresses and at the same time promote plant growth and plant health. To date, most studies have investigated whether Beauveria bassiana can enhance plant growth and plant health, while only little is known about other entomopathogenic fungi. In this study, we evaluated whether root inoculation of the entomopathogenic fungi Akanthomyces muscarius ARSEF 5128, B. bassiana ARSEF 3097 and Cordyceps fumosorosea ARSEF 3682 can promote plant growth of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), and whether effects are cultivar-dependent. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, canopy area, and plant weight were assessed four weeks following inoculation in two independent experiments using two cultivars of sweet pepper (cv. 'IDS RZ F1' and cv. 'Maduro'). Results showed that the three entomopathogenic fungi were able to enhance plant growth, particularly canopy area and plant weight. Further, results showed that effects significantly depended on cultivar and fungal strain, with the strongest fungal effects obtained for cv. 'IDS RZ F1', especially when inoculated with C. fumosorosea. We conclude that inoculation of sweet pepper roots with entomopathogenic fungi can stimulate plant growth, but effects depend on fungal strain and crop cultivar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbet Wilberts
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG) Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S) KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Rojas-Preciado
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG) Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S) KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hans Jacquemyn
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Lievens
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG) Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S) KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
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Wilberts L, Vuts J, Caulfield JC, Thomas G, Birkett MA, Herrera-Malaver B, Verstrepen KJ, Sobhy IS, Jacquemyn H, Lievens B. Impact of endophytic colonization by entomopathogenic fungi on the behavior and life history of the tobacco peach aphid Myzus persicae var. nicotianae. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273791. [PMID: 36067150 PMCID: PMC9447930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi can adopt an endophytic lifestyle and provide protection against insect herbivores and plant pathogens. So far, most studies have focused on Beauveria bassiana to increase plant resistance against abiotic and biotic stresses, while only little is known for other entomopathogenic fungi. In this study, we investigated whether root inoculation of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) by the entomopathogenic fungi Akanthomyces muscarius ARSEF 5128 and B. bassiana ARSEF 3097 can improve resistance against the tobacco peach aphid Myzus persicae var. nicotianae. First, dual-choice experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that the fungi deter aphids via modifying plant volatile profiles. Next, we tested the hypothesis that endophytic colonization negatively affects aphid life history traits, such as fecundity, development and mortality rate. Aphids were significantly attracted to the odor of plants inoculated with A. muscarius over non-inoculated plants. Plants inoculated with A. muscarius emitted significantly higher amounts of β-pinene than non-inoculated plants, and significantly higher amounts of indole than B. bassiana-inoculated and non-inoculated plants. Inoculation with the fungal strains also caused significantly higher emission of terpinolene. Further, both aphid longevity and fecundity were significantly reduced by 18% and 10%, respectively, when feeding on plants inoculated with A. muscarius, although intrinsic rate of population increase did not differ between inoculated and non-inoculated plants. Sweet pepper plants inoculated with B. bassiana ARSEF 3097 did not elicit a significant behavioral response nor affected the investigated life history traits. We conclude that endophytic colonization by entomopathogenic fungi has the potential to alter olfactory behavior and performance of M. persicae var. nicotianae, but effects are small and depend on the fungal strain used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbet Wilberts
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), CMPG Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - József Vuts
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - John C. Caulfield
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Thomas
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Michael A. Birkett
- Department of Biointeractions and Crop Protection, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Beatriz Herrera-Malaver
- Department M2S, CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kevin J. Verstrepen
- Department M2S, CMPG Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Islam S. Sobhy
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), CMPG Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Hans Jacquemyn
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Lievens
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), CMPG Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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Gloder G, Bourne ME, Verreth C, Wilberts L, Bossaert S, Crauwels S, Dicke M, Poelman EH, Jacquemyn H, Lievens B. Parasitism by endoparasitoid wasps alters the internal but not the external microbiome in host caterpillars. Anim Microbiome 2021; 3:73. [PMID: 34654483 PMCID: PMC8520287 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-021-00135-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The microbiome of many insects consists of a diverse community of microorganisms that can play critical roles in the functioning and overall health of their hosts. Although the microbial communities of insects have been studied thoroughly over the past decade, little is still known about how biotic interactions affect the microbial community structure in and on the bodies of insects. In insects that are attacked by parasites or parasitoids, it can be expected that the microbiome of the host insect is affected by the presence of these parasitic organisms that develop in close association with their host. In this study, we used high-throughput amplicon sequencing targeting both bacteria and fungi to test the hypothesis that parasitism by the endoparasitoid Cotesia glomerata affected the microbiome of its host Pieris brassicae. Healthy and parasitized caterpillars were collected from both natural populations and a laboratory culture. RESULTS Significant differences in bacterial community structure were found between field-collected caterpillars and laboratory-reared caterpillars, and between the external and the internal microbiome of the caterpillars. Parasitism significantly altered the internal microbiome of caterpillars, but not the external microbiome. The internal microbiome of all parasitized caterpillars and of the parasitoid larvae in the caterpillar hosts was dominated by a Wolbachia strain, which was completely absent in healthy caterpillars, suggesting that the strain was transferred to the caterpillars during oviposition by the parasitoids. CONCLUSION We conclude that biotic interactions such as parasitism have pronounced effects on the microbiome of an insect host and possibly affect interactions with higher-order insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Gloder
- CMPG Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department M2S, KU Leuven, Willem De Croylaan 46, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mitchel E. Bourne
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Christel Verreth
- CMPG Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department M2S, KU Leuven, Willem De Croylaan 46, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Wilberts
- CMPG Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department M2S, KU Leuven, Willem De Croylaan 46, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Bossaert
- CMPG Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department M2S, KU Leuven, Willem De Croylaan 46, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sam Crauwels
- CMPG Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department M2S, KU Leuven, Willem De Croylaan 46, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marcel Dicke
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Erik H. Poelman
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Jacquemyn
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Lievens
- CMPG Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department M2S, KU Leuven, Willem De Croylaan 46, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
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Bosmans L, Pozo MI, Verreth C, Crauwels S, Wilberts L, Sobhy IS, Wäckers F, Jacquemyn H, Lievens B. Habitat-specific variation in gut microbial communities and pathogen prevalence in bumblebee queens (Bombus terrestris). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204612. [PMID: 30359366 PMCID: PMC6201867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut microbial communities are critical for the health of many insect species. However, little is known about how gut microbial communities respond to anthropogenic changes and how such changes affect host-pathogen interactions. In this study, we used deep sequencing to investigate and compare the composition of gut microbial communities within the midgut and ileum (both bacteria and fungi) in Bombus terrestris queens collected from natural (forest) and urbanized habitats. Additionally, we investigated whether the variation in gut microbial communities under each habitat affected the prevalence of two important bumblebee pathogens that have recently been associated with Bombus declines (Crithidia bombi and Nosema bombi). Microbial community composition differed strongly among habitat types, both for fungi and bacteria. Fungi were almost exclusively associated with bumblebee queens from the forest habitats, and were not commonly detected in bumblebee queens from the urban sites. Further, gut bacterial communities of urban B. terrestris specimens were strongly dominated by bee-specific core bacteria like Snodgrassella (Betaproteobacteria) and Gilliamella (Gammaproteobacteria), whereas specimens from the forest sites contained a huge fraction of environmental bacteria. Pathogen infection was very low in urban populations and infection by Nosema was only observed in specimens collected from forest habitats. No significant relationship was found between pathogen prevalence and microbial gut diversity. However, there was a significant and negative relationship between prevalence of Nosema and relative abundance of the core resident Snodgrassella, supporting its role in pathogen defense. Overall, our results indicate that land-use change may lead to different microbial gut communities in bumblebees, which may have implications for bumblebee health, survival and overall fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Bosmans
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Campus De Nayer, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
| | - M. I. Pozo
- Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - C. Verreth
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Campus De Nayer, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
| | - S. Crauwels
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Campus De Nayer, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
| | - L. Wilberts
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Campus De Nayer, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
| | - I. S. Sobhy
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Campus De Nayer, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - F. Wäckers
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- Biobest Group, Westerlo, Belgium
| | - H. Jacquemyn
- Plant Conservation and Population Biology, Biology Department, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - B. Lievens
- Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Campus De Nayer, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
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