Parasitization of Aphis gossypii Glover by Binodoxys communis Gahan Causes Shifts in the Ovarian Bacterial Microbiota

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Aphis gossypii Glover is an important agricultural pest distributed worldwide, which can reduce the yield of cotton crops and cause huge economic losses. Binodoxys communis Gahan is the main parasitoid wasp of A. gossypii. Previous studies have shown that parasitization causes reduced egg production in A. gossypii, but the effects on the symbiotic bacteria of the host ovaries are unknown. In this study, we analyzed the microbial communities in cotton aphid ovaries by 16S rDNA sequencing and their changes before and after parasitization, performed a functional prediction analysis of the microbial communities in cotton aphid ovaries, and finally performed RT-qPCR on some core symbiotic bacteria. In summary, our results provide a framework for investigating shifts in the microbial communities in host ovaries and broaden our understanding of the interactions among aphids, parasitoid wasps, and endosymbionts. ABSTRACT: Background: Aphis gossypii Glover is an important agricultural pest distributed worldwide. Binodoxys communis Gahan is the main parasitoid wasp of A. gossypii. Previous studies have shown that parasitization causes reduced egg production in A. gossypii, but the effects of parasitism on the symbiotic bacteria in the host ovaries are unknown. Results: In this study, we analyzed the microbial communities in the ovaries of A. gossypii without and after parasitization. Whether parasitized or not, Buchnera was the dominant genus of symbiotic bacteria in the ovaries, followed by facultative symbionts including Arsenophonus, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter. The relative abundance of Buchnera in the aphid ovary increased after parasitization for 1 d in both third-instar nymph and adult stages, but decreased after parasitization for 3 d. The shifts in the relative abundance of Arsenophonus in both stages were the same as those observed for Buchnera. In addition, the relative abundance of Serratia remarkably decreased after parasitization for 1 d and increased after parasitization for 3 d. A functional predictive analysis of the control and parasitized ovary microbiomes revealed that pathways primarily enriched in parasitization were “amino acid transport and metabolism” and “energy production and conversion.” Finally, RT-qPCR analysis was performed on Buchnera, Arsenophonus, and Serratia. The results of RT-qPCR were the same as the results of 16S rDNA sequencing. Conclusions: These results provide a framework for investigating shifts in the microbial communities in host ovaries, which may be responsible for reduced egg production in aphids. These findings also broaden our understanding of the interactions among aphids, parasitoid wasps, and endosymbionts.