Microbiome of pear psyllids: A tale about closely related species sharing their endosymbionts.

Abstract

Psyllids are phloem-feeding insects that can transmit plant pathogens such as phytoplasmas, intracellular bacteria causing numerous plant diseases worldwide. Their microbiomes are essential for insect physiology and may also influence the capacity of vectors to transmit pathogens. Using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding, we compared the microbiomes of three sympatric psyllid species associated with pear trees in Central Europe. All three species are able to transmit 'Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri', albeit with different efficiencies. Our results revealed potential relationships between insect biology and microbiome composition that varied during psyllid ontogeny and between generations in Cacopsylla pyri and C. pyricola, as well as between localities in C. pyri. In contrast, no variations related to psyllid life cycle and geography were detected in C. pyrisuga. In addition to the primary endosymbiont Carsonella ruddii, we detected another highly abundant endosymbiont (unclassified Enterobacteriaceae). C. pyri and C. pyricola shared the same taxon of Enterobacteriaceae which is related to endosymbionts harboured by other psyllid species from various families. In contrast, C. pyrisuga carried a different Enterobacteriaceae taxon related to the genus Sodalis. Our study provides new insights into host-symbiont interactions in psyllids and highlights the importance of host biology and geography in shaping microbiome structure.