The diversity of the Insecta is reflected in the large and varied microbial communities inhabiting the gut Studies, particularly with termites and cockroaches, have focused on the nutritional contributions of gut bacteria in insects living on suboptimal diets The indigenous gut bacteria, however, also play a role in withstanding the colonization of the gut by non-indigenous species including pathogens Gut bacterial consortia adapt by the transfer of plasmids and transconjugation between bacterial strains, and some insect species provide ideal conditions for bacterial conjugation, which suggests that the gut is a "hot spot" for gene transfer Genomic analysis provides new avenues for the study of the gut microbial community and will reveal the molecular foundations of the relationships between the insect and its microbiome In this review the intestinal bacteria is discussed in the context of developing our understanding of symbiotic relationships, of multitrophic interactions between insects and plant or animal host, and in developing new strategies for controlling insect pests

The gut bacteria of insects: Nonpathogenic interactions

Publisher Summary This chapter updates former reviews on locust polyphenism and also discusses recent findings. Over 200 articles were published in scientific journals on various aspects of locust phase polyphenism, markedly advancing the knowledge of the subject. However, the chapter refers to the older literature when background information is necessary for complementary and better treatment, or because of historical importance. Some of the recent publications report contradictory findings, and such contradictions have been emphasized in the chapter. Substantial progress has been made in the study of locust phase polyphenism over the past several years. The topic has well and truly emerged from the realms of applied entomology to assume a prominent position in the modern study of phenotypic plasticity, whereby adaptive phenotypes arise during development as a result of plastic interactions between genes and the environment. The study of behavioral gregarization has seen some of the most far-reaching progress. The involvement of locust-emitted volatiles in aspects of phase biology has generated substantial research and its fair share of productive controversy. It has been especially heartening to see that some of the major areas of controversy, such as the role of phenylacetonitrile, appear to have been at least partially resolved during the past year. New genetic resources also offer a solution to a more prosaic problem in locust research. There has been a growing realization that some of the differences reported between laboratories in aspects of phase polyphenism most likely reflect effects of rearing locusts in long-term culture in the laboratory.

Locust Phase Polyphenism: An Update

Insects respond to crowding in a variety of ways that are usually exemplified by rapid changes in behavior and culminate in enduring long-term morphological and/or chromatic responses. A common feature of both short-term and long-term effects is that they are graded, dependent not only on density but also on the duration and on phase history of the maternal generation. Because of their exoskeletons, which are persistent for the duration of each instar and endure throughout adult life, overt changes in morphology or coloration are restricted to the molting period and shortly afterward, when cuticular hardening and pigmentation are expressed. Changes in internal organs or metabolism elicited by population density, being independent of integumental constraints, are not restricted to the molting period, but the temporal difference between internal and external responses is not of fundamental significance. Intraspecific responses to the presence of sibling insects are of apparent ecological significance and often involve directional movement and/or migration. They are mediated via the sensory system, involve signal transduction, and elicit downstream biochemical and physiological changes.

Density-dependent physiological phase in insects.

Mutualism between the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria and its gut microbiota

The congregation of locusts into vast swarms can cause crop devastation of biblical proportions1. Here we show that guaiacol, a key component of a pheromone derived from locust faecal pellets that promotes the aggregation of locusts2,3,4,5, is produced by bacteria in the locust gut. This adaptation by an insect to exploit a common metabolite produced by indigenous gut bacteria has wide implications for our appreciation of the role of the gut microbiota in insects.

Exploitation of gut bacteria in the locust.

Volatile substances in the atmosphere surrounding gregarious locustsSchistocerca gregaria andLocusta migratoria were captured and investigated by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Three aromatic derivates have been identified: phenol, guaiacol, and veratrole. Their relative percentages differ for different ages and species. Behavioral tests show that essentially phenol, guaiacol, and the mixture of the three products tend to increase the aggregation behavior in both species and thus act as “cohesion pheromones.”

Composition and role of volatile substances in atmosphere surrounding two gregarious locusts,Locusta migratoria andSchistocerca gregaria

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Composition and role of volatile substances in atmosphere surrounding two gregarious locusts,Locusta migratoria andSchistocerca gregaria