Title: | Microbe-mediated alterations in floral nectar: consequences for insect parasitoids |
Address: | "Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy. Electronic address: antonino.cusumano@unipa.it. Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium" |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101116 |
Abstract: | "Floral nectar is frequently colonized by microbes among which bacteria and yeasts are the most abundant. These microbes have the ability to alter nectar characteristics with consequences for the whole community of flower-visiting insects. Recent research carried out on natural enemies of insect herbivores has shown that microbe-mediated changes in nectar traits can influence the foraging behavior and life history traits of parasitoids. The production of microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (mVOCs) can affect the attraction of parasitoids to nectar, while changes in sugar and amino acid composition can impact their longevity. Future research should focus on understanding the effects of nectar microbial colonization on parasitoid reproduction, with a specific emphasis on interactions among different microbial taxa known to co-occur in floral nectar. Overall, this review highlights the importance of considering the role of nectar-inhabiting microbes in shaping the interactions between parasitoids and their food resources" |
Notes: | "PublisherCusumano, Antonino Lievens, Bart eng Review Netherlands 2023/09/24 Curr Opin Insect Sci. 2023 Sep 21:101116. doi: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101116" |