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Abstract
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Insects are the most abundant animals on the Earth. The microbiotas within their guts play important roles by engaging in beneficial and pathological interactions with these hosts. Many insects, like moths are the hosts of bacterial symbionts. These symbiotic bacteria can indirectly affect viral transmission by enhancing immunity and resistance to viruses in insects. Studying their microbiota could helpus better understand their ecology and offer insights into developing new pest control strategies. In this study, Anagasta (Ephestia) kuhniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were obtained from the Division of Entomology, Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Alborz, Iran. The insects were held in the growth chamber at 25 ± 1ºC, 60–
70% RH and 16: 8 h photoperiod. An individual of fourth instar larvae of A. kuhniellawas placed at 20 ºC for 5 min. Insect's surface was sterilized using ethanol (75%) and their whole gut was removed. The gut flora of A. kuehniella was isolated on Luria Bertani Agar (LBA), followed by incubation at 28 ºC, respectively, for 48-72 h. The isolates were identified using 16S rRNA sequencing. The phylogenetic tree showed that the strain Bacillus sp. with 91% bootstrap support and Enterococus munditiiwith 94% bootstrap support were the most abundant bacteria in A. kuehniella gut.
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