Changes in the Host Gut Microbiota during Parasitization by Parasitic Wasp Cotesia vestalis.

Abstract

Simple SummaryCotesia vestalis is a larval endo-parasitoid of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), which is a severe pest of cruciferous crops. The function of the gut microbiota of insects has been widely studied. However, it was unclear whether, and how, the gut microbiota of P. xylostella responds to its natural enemy, C. vestalis. In this study, a time-course experiment was performed to examine changes in the host–microbial community from the start of parasitization to the mature stage of the parasitoid larvae. Our results will provide a framework for studies of host-gut microbiota and parasitic wasp interactions.Parasites attack the host insects and possibly impact the host-gut microbiota, which leads to provision of a suitable host environment for parasites’ development. However, little is known about whether and how the parasitic wasp Cotesia vestalis alters the gut microbiota of the host Plutella xylostella. In this study, 16S rDNA microbial profiling, combined with a traditional isolation and culture method, were used to assess changes in the bacterial microbiome of parasitized and non-parasitized hosts at different developmental stages of C. vestalis larvae. Parasitization affected both the diversity and structure of the host-gut microbiota, with a significant reduction in richness on the sixth day post parasitization (6 DPP) and significant differences in bacterial structure between parasitized and non-parasitized hosts on the third day. The bacterial abundance of host-gut microbiota changed significantly as the parasitization progressed, resulting in alteration of potential functional contribution. Notably, the relative abundance of the predominant family Enterobacteriaceae was significantly decreased on the third day post-parasitization. In addition, the results of traditional isolation and culture of bacteria indicated differences in the bacterial composition between the three DPP and CK3 groups, as with 16S microbial profiling. These findings shed light on the interaction between a parasitic wasp and gut bacteria in the host insect during parasitization.