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<p>A wide range of interactions between insects and their associated microbial communities have been documented, with profound implications for host characteristics such as development, biology, and behavior. While much emphasis has been placed on bacterial endosymbionts, the mutual interactions between insects and their external symbionts are often overlooked. In this study, we investigated the potential of the cuticle bacterial symbionts to mediate survival and behavioral changes in the workers of red imported fire ants (RIFA). Using culture-based methods, the bacterial species present on the cuticle of the ants were isolated and identified. Experimental manipulation of ant cuticle bacterial symbionts was achieved through the treatment of workers with bacterial monocultures, antibiotics, or a combination of both. Artificial modification of ant cuticle bacterial symbionts revealed significant changes in survival rates and behavioral patterns. GLMM analysis revealed significant treatment effects on survival probability. The highest survival was recorded in the control ants, lowest in the axenic group, while symbiotic and gnotobiotic groups were intermediate. Notably, symbiotic ants treated with <i>Vagococcus fluvialis</i> D121 strain matched the survival in the control ants, highlighting the critical role of specific microbial associations in host survival. Similarly, artificial manipulation of ant cuticle bacterial symbionts impaired the ants’ ability to be recognized by their nestmates, as worker ants with an altered cuticle experienced a higher rejection rate compared to the untreated nestmates. In addition, we observed differences in foraging activities across treatment and control ants, including the workers’ ability to kill prey, search for food, and the weight of food carried over a given duration. These results revealed that cuticular bacteria influence both survival and certain social behaviors in RIFA. Understanding the diversity and functional roles of these cuticular bacterial symbionts provides insights into how microbial associations may influence survival, recognition, and aggression in <i>Solenopsis invicta</i>, thereby contributing to its invasiveness.</p>

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Experimental modulation of ants’ external microbiome revealed symbiont-mediated survival and behavioral modifications in workers of Solenopsis invicta

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月9日

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  • Bamisope Steve Bamisile,
  • Junaid Ali Siddiqui,
  • Lei Nie,
  • Atif Idrees,
  • Chunsheng Jia,
  • Yijuan Xu

摘要

A wide range of interactions between insects and their associated microbial communities have been documented, with profound implications for host characteristics such as development, biology, and behavior. While much emphasis has been placed on bacterial endosymbionts, the mutual interactions between insects and their external symbionts are often overlooked. In this study, we investigated the potential of the cuticle bacterial symbionts to mediate survival and behavioral changes in the workers of red imported fire ants (RIFA). Using culture-based methods, the bacterial species present on the cuticle of the ants were isolated and identified. Experimental manipulation of ant cuticle bacterial symbionts was achieved through the treatment of workers with bacterial monocultures, antibiotics, or a combination of both. Artificial modification of ant cuticle bacterial symbionts revealed significant changes in survival rates and behavioral patterns. GLMM analysis revealed significant treatment effects on survival probability. The highest survival was recorded in the control ants, lowest in the axenic group, while symbiotic and gnotobiotic groups were intermediate. Notably, symbiotic ants treated with Vagococcus fluvialis D121 strain matched the survival in the control ants, highlighting the critical role of specific microbial associations in host survival. Similarly, artificial manipulation of ant cuticle bacterial symbionts impaired the ants’ ability to be recognized by their nestmates, as worker ants with an altered cuticle experienced a higher rejection rate compared to the untreated nestmates. In addition, we observed differences in foraging activities across treatment and control ants, including the workers’ ability to kill prey, search for food, and the weight of food carried over a given duration. These results revealed that cuticular bacteria influence both survival and certain social behaviors in RIFA. Understanding the diversity and functional roles of these cuticular bacterial symbionts provides insights into how microbial associations may influence survival, recognition, and aggression in Solenopsis invicta, thereby contributing to its invasiveness.