Deciphering host and symbiont contributions to dietary changes in bugs (Hemiptera, Miridae)

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Martin Kaltenpoth; Professor Dr. Andreas Vilcinskas
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions ; Animal Physiology and Biochemistry
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 540923461

The evolutionary leap to omnivory has occurred many times independently, throughout the animal kingdom. Such omnivores must overcome prominent differences in nutritional composition, chemical makeup, morphology, and defensive properties of their plant and animal food sources. However, the adaptations that enable such dietary switches remain incompletely understood. The overall goal of this proposal is to decipher contributions of both host genetics and bacterial symbionts to insects’ ability to feed on both plants and animals. We propose to study the bug family Miridae as a model for taxa with very diverse feeding habits, using a comprehensive approach that combines genomic and transcriptomic analyses of the hosts with taxonomic and functional characterization of their microbial communities and diet. We aim to (i) elucidate candidate genes with a potential role at the interface between Miridae and their respective diets; (ii) assess gene expression patterns related to dietary preference and identify genes responding to dietary switches; (iii) develop a method for verifying/assessing the actual diet of different Miridae species; (iv) characterize microbial symbionts associated with Miridae and to predict their potential contribution to host diet utilization; v) predict the role Rickettsia play in the ability of their mirid hosts to exploit various food sources based on their genomes; and (vi) test these predictions experimentally using bioassays. The results are expected to provide answers for the long standing question of the mechanisms allowing diet switching in insects, and the findings are anticipated to be of applied value by providing the basis for strategies to reduce the risk of using omnivorous natural enemies in biological pest control programs.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Heiko Vogel
• International Co-Applicants: Tali Berman, Ph.D.; Einat Zchori-Fein, Ph.D.