Symbiotic microbial diversity in the hemolymph of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

The tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a significant global agricultural pest with a host range of over 120 plant species. While previous studies have focused on the gut microbiota of S. litura, this study explores the diversity of the hemolymph microbiota across its developmental stages—larvae, pupae, and adults—using 16S rRNA sequencing. The results reveal a dominance of Bacillota and Pseudomonadota phyla, with the genera Klebsiella and Mammaliicoccus consistently present across all stages, suggesting trans-stage transmission. This study highlights the potential role of hemolymph microbiota in the physiology and development of S. litura and provides insights into bacterial transmission throughout the insect's life cycle.