Sidestepping Darwin: horizontal gene transfer from plants to insects

Horizontal transfer of genetic material (HT) is the passage of DNA between organisms by means other than reproduction. Increasing numbers of HT are reported in insects, with bacteria, fungi, plants, and insects acting as the main sources of these transfers. Here, we provide a detailed account of plant-to -insect HT events. At least 14 insect species belonging to 6 orders are known to have received plant genetic material through HT. One of them, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Middle East Asia Minor 1), concentrates most of these transfers, with no less than 28 HT events yielding 55 plant-derived genes in this species. Several plant-to-insect HT events reported so far involve gene families known to play a role in plant-parasite interactions. We highlight methodological approaches that may further help characterize these transfers. We argue that plant -to-insect HT is likely more frequent than currently appreciated and that in-depth studies of these transfers will shed new light on-insect interactions.

Automated summary

This article discusses the phenomenon of horizontal transfer of genetic material in insects, with a focus on plant-to-insect transfer. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is mentioned as the species with the most transfers, involving numerous plant-derived genes. The authors argue that plant-to-insect HT may be more common than currently recognized and that further studies on these transfers will provide new insights into insect interactions.