Diversity of Insect-Associated Microorganisms

Dear Colleagues,

Insects play an important role on our planet. They participate in nutrient cycling, pollination, and plant seed dispersal. Constituting the largest phylum by species diversity, insects stand out among animal taxa as a well-known but not-well-explored habitat for microorganisms. Microorganisms and insects engage in various symbiotic interactions. This includes mutualism, wherein yeasts contribute to nutrient breakdown through enzymatic processes, furnish insects with nutrients and essential vitamins, and provide antimicrobial defense. In exchange, insects offer a secure niche for reproduction, act as transportation agents, and facilitate access to food sources in natural environments. Despite the well-documented importance of these associations, our knowledge of microorganism biodiversity associated with insects in various regions of our planet remains limited. Most studies on yeast biodiversity have been concentrated in regions such as Western Europe, Japan, and North America. Moreover, most yeast strains maintained in world culture collections have been isolated from food products, plants, and human sources. We cordially invite authors to contribute articles on the Topic “Diversity of Insect-Associated Microorganisms”, launched by the MDPI journals Applied Microbiology, Forests, Insects, Journal of Fungi, and Microorganisms.

Dr. Dilnora E. Gouliamova
Prof. Dr. Teun Boekhout
Topic Editors