Symbiosis of Gut Bacteria in Cotton Stainers

Dysdercus fasciatus is the species pictured below. These are known as cotton stainers in the family Pyrrhocoridae. A recent study set out to answer the question of how these bugs could survive on cotton seeds, which have high levels of secondary metabolites that are toxic, and lack in some essential nutrients.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology discovered the bugs cultivate a community of symbiotic bacteria. These bacteria are transferred to the eggs of these insects via the female and taken up by young larvae when they hatch. Experiments show that without the bacteria, the mortality rate of these insects is very high. Another experiment demonstrates that the bacteria are species specific. When the communities of bacteria were switched in different species, the bugs experienced a decrease in fitness.
In addition to learning more about symbiosis and the ecology & evolution of insects, research in this area can lead to better biocontrols for these destructive insects.

Read the full story here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130109081155.htm
Picture credit: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2211/2190175112_c8be50ede7.jpg