Core Bacterial and Host Fruit-Specific Yeast Microbiota in a Polyphagous Fly Pest

Dunis, S.; Lapegue, M.; Deschamps, C.; Cesari, L.; Loiseau, A.; Facon, B.; Rode, N.

doi:10.64898/2026.04.24.720762

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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.04.24.720762

Core Bacterial and Host Fruit-Specific Yeast Microbiota in a Polyphagous Fly Pest

Dunis, S.·Lapegue, M.·Deschamps, C.·Cesari, L.·Loiseau, A.·Facon, B.·Rode, N.

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Abstract

Holometabolous polyphagous insects undergo metamorphosis and exploit multiple host plants, exposing them to highly variable ecological conditions across both life stages and host plants. Whether these insects harbour a stable core microbiota, a life stage- or a host plant-specific microbiota remain open questions. Here, we characterised fungal and bacterial communities associated with Drosophila suzukii across life stages (larvae, pupae and emerging flies) and host fruits (cherry, blackberry and strawberry) using 16S and ITS metabarcoding. We tested the relative influence of life stage and host fruit on microbiota composition using community and network-based analyses. First, we identified that yeasts, but not bacteria, were strongly structured among host fruits. Bacteria and filamentous fungi were shared across fruits, constituting a fruit core microbiota dominated by Gluconobacter cerinus, Tatumella sp. and Cladosporium spp. In contrast, yeast were rather fruit-specific: Hanseniaspora and Pichia genera mostly associated with cherries and strawberries, contrary to Metschnikowia with blackberries. Second, we found that fungal, but not bacterial, communities of D. suzukii were structured among host fruits. D. suzukii harboured a core bacterial microbiota composed of G. cerinus and a niche-specific (host plant-specific) microbiota composed of yeasts: Hanseniaspora typical in individuals related to cherry and strawberry, and Metschnikowia to blackberry. We also verified that individuals from artificial laboratory infestations and natural field infestations harboured similar microbial communities when they developed under the same laboratory conditions. Components of both core and niche-specific microbiota were most likely horizontally acquired by D. suzukii from host fruits. Taken together our results underline the importance of metacommunity approaches to investigate tripartite interactions among insects, host plants and microbiota.

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Dunis, S., Lapegue, M., Deschamps, C., Cesari, L., Loiseau, A., Facon, B., Rode, N.. 2026-04-29. Core Bacterial and Host Fruit-Specific Yeast Microbiota in a Polyphagous Fly Pest. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.04.24.720762

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