Review paper
Changes in prevalence of facultative symbiotic bacteria between native and invasive insect populations: a meta-analysis
Yin, Chongwen; Zhang, Mianxiong; Zhao, Zihua; Li, Zhihong; Liu, Lijun
Entomologia Generalis Volume 45 Number 5 (2025), p. 1343 - 1357
published: Nov 18, 2025
published online: Oct 29, 2025
manuscript accepted: Jul 28, 2025
final revised version received: Jul 26, 2025
manuscript revision requested: May 4, 2025
manuscript received: Feb 26, 2025
Open Access (paper may be downloaded free of charge)
Abstract
Abstract: Facultative endosymbionts play a crucial role in insect growth, reproduction, nutrition, and environmental adaptation. Previous studies have highlighted significant differences in the prevalence of these symbionts between invasive and native insect populations, which has influenced the insects’ ability to adapt to new environments. Despite this growing body of research, there has been no comprehensive synthesis of these findings. To address this gap, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess changes in the prevalence of facultative endosymbionts between invasive and native insect populations. The results confirmed notable differences in symbiont prevalence across invasive versus native populations. Symbionts associated with reproduction, such as Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, and Spiroplasma, exhibited significantly lower prevalence in invasive populations compared to their native counterparts. Conversely, symbionts like Hamiltonella and Rickettsia, which confer defense against parasitoids/pathogens or enhance stress resistance, showed higher prevalence in invasive populations than in native ones. This meta-analysis provides empirical evidence for understanding the role of facultative endosymbionts in insect biological invasions. It also lays a foundational framework for further research into the interactions between invasive pests, facultative endosymbionts, and the environment.
Keywords
biological invasion • endosymbiont • adaptive evolution • host-microbe interaction • ecological adaptability