Efficacy of different laboratory methods to infect Leptoglossus phyllopus with symbiotic Caballeronia bacteria
Abstract
The insect Leptoglossus phyllopus and some other members of the true bug family must
acquire their bacterial symbiont every generation from the environment during their second
instar. This poses a problem for researchers wanting to study the bugs in vitro. We set out
to assess five different methods of introducing bacteria into the insect's environment. We
tested the introduction via inoculated water, broth, plant sprig, potting soil, and
uninoculated agricultural soil. No significant difference was seen in average adult weight
or the development time between treatments. The method of infection did affect the number
of insects that reached adulthood which also correlates to how many insects were infected.
Insects infected via inoculated water and agricultural soil were significantly less likely to
reach adulthood than insects infected via inoculated broth, plant sprigs, or potting soil.