Modulating the fatty acid composition of black soldier fly larvae via substrate fermentation.

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) contain high amounts of proteins and essential amino acids and are therefore an appropriate feed source. However, they lack essential fatty acids (FAs), specifically ω-3 and ω-6, making them a less desirable feed choice for aquaculture. The aim of this study was to increase the ω-3 and ω-6 FA concentrations in BSFL by manipulating the FA composition in their rearing substrate.

Tiny but mighty? Overview of a decade of research on nectar bacteria.

An emerging focus of research at the intersection of botany, zoology, and microbiology is the study of floral nectar as a microbial habitat, referred to as the nectar microbiome, which can alter plant-pollinator interactions. Studies on these microbial communities have primarily focused on yeasts, and it was only about a decade ago that bacteria began to be studied as widespread inhabitants of floral nectar. This review aims to give an overview of the current knowledge on nectar bacteria, with emphasis on evolutionary origin, dispersal mode, effects on nectar chemistry and plant-animal interactions, community assembly, agricultural applications, and their use as model systems in ecological research.

Development of a toolbox to study - lettuce interactions: Characterization and detection of in hydroponic lettuce.

Climate change poses a major threat to crop production, resulting in the emergence of new pests and diseases. has recently emerged as a major concern in hydroponic lettuce cultivation, causing substantial yield and economic losses. This oomycete pathogen thrives in elevated water temperatures induced by warmer weather conditions (e.

Caterpillar-parasitoid interactions: species-specific influences on host microbiome composition.

There is increasing evidence that host-parasitoid interactions can have a pronounced impact on the microbiome of host insects, but it is unclear to what extent this is caused by the host and/or parasitoid. Here, we compared the internal and external microbiome of caterpillars of Pieris brassicae and Pieris rapae parasitized by Cotesia glomerata or Cotesia rubecula with nonparasitized caterpillars. Additionally, we investigated the internal and external microbiome of the parasitoid larvae.