Metabolic Profiling of Insect-Associated Bacteria from Enterobacteriaceae and Acetobacteriaceae

Pest insect-associated microbes display great phenotypic and genotypic diversity, with many members inhabiting broader ecological niche. Several of these bacteria are ubiquitous in nature and contribute to fruit spoilage. When microbes occur in both environmental niches and insect hosts, their ability to adapt to diverse substrates may facilitate their ecological success. This study focuses on characterization of the metabolic capability of three bacterial isolates belonging to the genera Acetobacter and Pantoea associated with Drosophila suzukii collected in the Netherlands. Carbon utilization patterns and tolerance to environmental stressors were assessed under varying conditions of salinity, pH, and antibiotics. The isolates differed in their metabolic profiles but collectively demonstrated the capacity to utilize a wide range of carbon sources. In addition, they exhibited tolerance towards different chemicals including salt and antibiotics. The metabolic flexibility of bacteria associated with D. suzukii may facilitate their persistence within fruit environments and contribute to host ecology. Overall, this study provides functional insight into insect-associated bacteria and underscores the importance of metabolic characterization in understanding their ecological significance.