Lineage-dependent Microbial Shifts in the Reproductive Tract of Black Soldier Flies (Hermetia illucens) Reveal Novel Mating-linked Associations.

Authors

Shaktheeshwari Silvaraju, Jolie Lee Kar Yi, Yong Tang Jen, Sandra Kittelmann, Nalini Puniamoorthy

Published in

Current microbiology. Volume 83. Issue 9. Jul 30, 2026. Epub Jul 30, 2026.

Abstract

Reproductive microbiota is known to modulate host immunity, reproductive physiology, and longevity, yet their interactions with host genetics, sex, and mating status remain relatively underexplored in most insects. Some studies suggest that species (and even populations) can vary in the microbial communities associated with their reproductive tissues. Sexually transmitted microbes can also directly influence population growth and reproductive fitness, making them relevant even for applied insect management strategies. The economically relevant, Black Soldier Fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens), is known for its applications in organic waste management and sustainable food production. Despite several papers on the larval gut microbiota, there is no study (to date) that explores the reproductive microbiota of adults. This study characterizes the reproductive microbial communities of eight genetically distinct BSF populations using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results revealed striking, sex-specific microbial signatures within reproductive tissues, dynamically shaped by mating. Virgin females harboured diverse and functionally intriguing taxa, including Staphylococcus, Brevibacterium, and Corynebacterium, which likely supported ovarian maturation and reproductive readiness. Remarkably, mating triggered a dramatic shift, with unclassified Enterococcaceae emerging as the dominant taxon in mated females, suggesting selective microbial retention or transmission with potential implications for post-mating longevity. In contrast, although mated males showed enrichment of Rhodococcus_C_375578, their overall microbiota composition remained comparatively stable pre- and post-mating. Most notably, the genetic lineage significantly influenced the magnitude of sex- and mating-related bacterial shifts in reproductive microbiota. These novel findings advance the understanding of the complex dynamics of reproductive microbiota in insects and provide a foundation for optimizing breeding strategies and colony management in commercial BSF production systems.

PMID:
42533180
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 31 Jul 2026.

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