Harnessing insect gut microbiota: approaches and applications for next-generation crop management and agricultural sustainability

Insect’s harbour diverse microorganisms in their guts, which play crucial roles in nutrition, development, and pathogen defence. By studying these symbiotic relationships, we can develop innovative solutions for improving crop production, pest management, and overall ecosystem health. This review provides insights into the functional roles of insect-associated microbes, including nutrient digestion, detoxification, and modulation of immune responses. Additionally, it highlights the potential for pioneering biocontrol strategies that use insect gut microbiota to suppress plant pathogens and pests. Despite these promising opportunities, challenges such as variability in microbial communities across different insect species, diets, and environments complicate our understanding. Furthermore, scaling up practical implementations and addressing regulatory concerns pose significant hurdles. To fully harness the benefits of insect gut microbiota, interdisciplinary collaborations, advanced genomic tools, and precision agriculture techniques are essential. By integrating metagenomics, genetic engineering, and targeted microbial manipulation, we can deepen our understanding and optimize insect-microbe-plant interactions. This manuscript provides novel perspectives in exploiting insect gut microbiota, offering eco-friendly strategies for crop protection and production. The application of insect gut microbiota in agriculture offers a novel and sustainable approach.