Culturable gut bacteria associated with the carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller, 1839) (Lep.: Pyralidae)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, I. R. Iran

Abstract

The carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae, is a pest of considerable global concern. The microbial communities associated with this species remain largely unexplored. In this study, we report the first isolation and comprehensive characterization of culturable bacterial symbionts from the larval gut of E. ceratoniae. Bacterial isolates were recovered from different larval instars and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach that included morphological, biochemical, and physiological analyses, supported by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our results revealed a diverse gut bacterial community, revealing several isolates identified as members of the genera Pseudomonas, Achromobacter, Exiguobacterium, Peribacillus, Pantoea, and Erwinia. These isolates displayed distinct phenotypic profiles, including differences in Gram reaction, oxygen requirements, and tolerance to a range of temperatures, pH levels, and salinity conditions. This characterization of the culturable gut bacterial community provides an essential foundation for understanding the functional roles of these symbionts in host nutrition, development, and detoxification. Moreover, the findings open new avenues for research aimed at exploiting these bacterial symbionts to develop novel, eco-friendly biocontrol strategies within integrated pest management (IPM) programs targeting E. ceratoniae.

Graphical Abstract

Culturable gut bacteria associated with the carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller, 1839) (Lep.: Pyralidae)

Keywords

Main Subjects


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