Microbiota of Nezara viridula mediate repression of plant defenses and detoxification

The Southern green shield bug, Nezara viridula, is an invasive piercing and sucking pest insect, feeding on important crop plants and posing a threat to worldwide food production. Insects live in a close relationship with microorganisms and our study provides novel insights into the community composition and role of N. viridula-associated microbiota, and their effect on interactions with host plants. We discovered that the microbiota of N. viridula is vertically transmitted and might aid the shield bug with the digestion of plant matter, supplementation of amino acids and vitamins, detoxification of plant metabolites, and repression of host plant defense. We discovered that the salivary glands are not sterile but harbor a thriving microbial community which is transmitted to the plant while feeding. Interestingly, transmitted bacteria impacted plant chemical defenses and were able to degrade toxic plant metabolites, aiding the shield bug in its nutrition. Our findings demonstrate that insect-associated microbiota play an important role in interactions between insects and plants and could therefore be considered a valuable target for the development of pest control.