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Gut microbiota of Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

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Abstract

Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a stemborer pest that attacks maize (Zea mays) throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Genetically modified maize has been shown to be effective against B. fusca. However, resistance of B. fusca against Bt-maize has developed and spread throughout South Africa. Previous studies suggested that gut microbiota contribute to mortality across a range of Lepidoptera. To fully assess the role of microbiota within the gut, it is essential to understand the microbiota harboured by natural B. fusca populations. This study aimed to identify the gut-associated bacteria by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A total of 78 bacterial strains were characterised from the midgut of B. fusca larvae that were collected from 30 sites across the maize producing region of South Africa. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed bacteria affiliated to Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. Taxonomic distribution placed these isolates into 15 different genera representing 20 species. The majority of bacteria identified belong to the genera Bacillus, Enterococcus, and Klebsiella. The B. fusca gut represents an intriguing and unexplored niche for analysing microbial ecology. The study could provide opportunities for developing new targets for pest management and contribute to understanding the phenomenon of resistance evolution of this species.

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Acknowledgments

This study was partly funded through a collaborative project between NWU and the Centre for Gene Ecology (GenØk), Norway. Post-Doctoral research fellowship awarded by North-West University (NWU), Potchefstroom, South Africa to A.K. Gupta, is gratefully acknowledged. We are grateful to Mr. Abram Mahlatsi for providing valuable ideas and helpful comments in the initial stages of the study and in preparing the manuscript. Dr C. P. Antony, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany, is acknowledged for providing constructive ideas and critically reviewing the final manuscript.

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    1. Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, 11 Hoffman Street, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa

      Maxi Snyman, Arvind Kumar Gupta, Cornelius Carlos Bezuidenhout, Sarina Claassens & Johnnie van den Berg

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    1. Maxi Snyman
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    2. Arvind Kumar Gupta
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    3. Cornelius Carlos Bezuidenhout
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    4. Sarina Claassens
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    5. Johnnie van den Berg
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    Correspondence to Cornelius Carlos Bezuidenhout.

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    Maxi Snyman and Arvind Kumar Gupta have contributed equally.

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    Snyman, M., Gupta, A.K., Bezuidenhout, C.C. et al. Gut microbiota of Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). World J Microbiol Biotechnol 32, 115 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-016-2066-8

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-016-2066-8

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