High nitrogen in maize enriches gut microbiota conferring insecticide tolerance in lepidopteran pest Spodoptera litura

• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103726
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02T14:38:26Z
• Authors: Lin Hu; Zhongxiang Sun; Cuicui Xu; Jie Wang; Azim U. Mallik; Chengzhen Gu; Daoqian Chen; Long Lu; Rensen Zeng; Yuanyuan Song
• Keywords: Methomyl; Spodoptera litura

Abuse of chemical fertilizers and insecticides has created many environmental human health hazards. We hypothesized that high nitrogen (N) in crops changes insect gut microbiota leading to enhanced insecticide tolerance. investigated the effect N maize on tolerance polyphagous pest Spodoptera litura. Bioassays showed applied both plants artificial diets significantly larval growth but reduced sensitivity methomyl. High promoted bacterial abundance genus Enterococcus. Inoculation with two strains (E. mundtii E. casseliflavus) isolated from guts increased Incorporation antibiotics a high-N diet These findings suggest excessive application fertilizer can increase pests via changing microbiota, use worldwide.