Data from: Development of common leaf-footed bug pests depends on the presence and identity of their environmentally-acquired symbionts

Many beneficial symbioses between bacteria and their terrestrial arthropod
hosts are vertically transmitted from mother to offspring, ensuring the
progeny acquire necessary partners. Unusually, in several families of
coreoid and lygeoid bugs (Hemiptera), nymphs must instead ingest the
beneficial symbiont, Burkholderia (sensu lato), from the environment early
in development. We studied the effects of Burkholderia on development of
two species of leaf-footed bug (Coreidae) in the genus Leptoglossus, L.
zonatus and L. phyllopus. We found no evidence for vertical transmission
of the symbiont, but found stark differences in performance between
symbiotic and aposymbiotic individuals. Symbiotic nymphs grew more
rapidly, were approximately four times more likely to survive to adulthood
than aposymbiotic bugs, and were two times larger. These findings suggest
that Burkholderia is an obligate symbiont for Leptoglossus species. We
also tested for variation in fitness effects conferred by four symbiont
isolates representing different species within Burkholderia’s
insect-associated Stinkbug Beneficial and Environmental (SBE) clade. While
three isolates conferred similar benefits to hosts, nymphs associated with
the fourth isolate grew more slowly and weighed significantly less as
adults. The effects of the four isolates were similar for both
Leptoglossus species. This work indicates that both Burkholderia
acquisition and isolate identity play critical roles in the growth and
development of Leptoglossus. Importance Leptoglossus zonatus and L.
phyllopus are important polyphagous pests and both species have been
well-studied, but generally without regard to their dependance on a
bacterial symbiont. Our results indicate that the central role of
Burkholderia in the biology of these insects, as well as in other
leaf-footed bugs, should be considered in future studies of coreid life
history, ecology and pest management. Our work suggests acquisition of
Burkholderia is critical for the growth and development of Leptoglossus
species. Further, we found that there was variation in performance
outcomes according to symbiont identity, even among members of the
Stinkbug Beneficial and Environmental clade. This suggests that although
environmental acquisition of a symbiont can provide extraordinary
flexibility in partner associations, it also carries a risk if the partner
is sub-optimal.