Microbiomes in the context of insect communities

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the deterministic patterns of insect-associated microbiome community composition and to investigate the role of symbiotic bacteria in insect model systems. I have shown that life stage is a key factor influencing microbiome composition, in both holometabolous and hemimetabolous insects, in addition to host species identity and local environment. I was able to find these deterministic patterns by controlling for diet in field studies of microbiomes, which is a well-known influential factor of microbiome communities. My thesis emphasises the importance of investigating the taxonomic and functional diversity of insect microbiomes and including symbiotic microbes in community level studies.