Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Microbial Ecology, cilt.89, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Hazelnut is a major export commodity for Türkiye, the world’s leading producer, yet pest pressure in hazelnut orchards has caused substantial quantitative and qualitative yield losses in recent years. Among emerging pests, the green shield bug (GSB) Palomena prasina (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) has become a key threat due to direct feeding on developing fruits. Despite its increasing economic relevance, the microbial community associated with P. prasina remains poorly characterized. Here, we present the first comprehensive analysis of the bacterial community associated with P. prasina using 16 S rRNA gene metabarcoding combined with prevalence screening and phylogenetic analyses. A total of 36 bacterial taxa were detected across sampled populations, with Pantoea and Sodalis identified as the dominant genera. Bacterial diversity did not differ significantly between sexes or among geographic locations, indicating a relatively stable microbial community. Prevalence analyses revealed that Pantoea spp. were present in all examined individuals, whereas Sodalis spp. showed variable infection frequencies among populations. Phylogenetic reconstruction indicated contrasting evolutionary patterns between these dominant taxa, with Pantoea lineages displaying a polyphyletic structure suggestive of repeated environmental acquisition, while Sodalis sequences formed a more cohesive, host-associated lineage consistent with a facultative symbiotic lifestyle. Overall, these findings improve our understanding of stink bug-microbe associations and provide an ecological framework for future studies exploring symbiont-based pest management strategies.