Diet-induced gut microbiota shifts in grasshoppers: ecological implications for management and adaptation under varying grazing intensities.

Background: Grasshoppers play a keystone role in health and stability in grassland ecosystems, which are critical for biodiversity and ecological services. Despite this, in the context of the desert steppe, there remains a paucity of knowledge regarding the response of Calliptamus abbreviatus to variations in grazing intensity and the subsequent impact on its gut microbiome and dietary diversity. The present study evaluated the impact of variations in sheep grazing intensity on the composition of plant species, which in turn influences the diet and intestinal microbiota of the grasshopper C. abbreviatus, an abundant species in these ecosystems.

Results: We found that increased grazing intensity has significant impacts on plant species composition and diversity, reduces grasshopper dietary diversity, increases reliance on Allium tenuissimum, and alters gut microbial community structure. Notably, plant species composition changes associated with high grazing intensity decrease Actinobacteria and Frankia but increase Proteobacteria, potentially affecting grasshopper adaptability and nutrient absorption. Procrustes analysis revealed a significant congruence between diet and gut microbiota, and the plant species changes associated with grazing serve as a pivotal point in the enterotype differentiation of grasshoppers, with enterotype 2 potentially endowing grasshoppers with enhanced nutrient absorption and transport capabilities under grazing, helping them adapt to environmental changes.

Conclusion: Our findings emphasize that the diet and structure and function of grasshopper gut microbial communities are altered by the quality and quantity of food resources. This study provides insights into the long-term interactions between insects and their environment, and these insights are crucial for sustainable grassland management and pest control strategies. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.