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The unique structure and physicochemical properties of insect intestines provide suitable conditions for colonization by various microorganisms, the community composition of which is closely related to the growth, development, metabolism, reproduction and other life activities, of their insect hosts. Insects have an abundant and diverse gut microflora. The relatively stable symbiotic relationships between insects and their gut microflora play an extremely important role in the insect life cycle. Gut microbiota not only provide important nutrients for their insect hosts but also assist in the digestion of food, immune defense and detoxification. They also affect the life span, development, mating and reproductive capacity of insects. Insect gut microbes can potentially be utilized in many fields, including agriculture, ecology, medicine, energy and environmental protection. This paper reviews recent progress in research on insect gut microbiota, including its diversity, function, factors that affect it and its potential utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The innate immune system plays a critical role in the ability of insects to adapt to changing environments, and its underlying mechanism has become a new area of research in pest control. The insect innate immune system is comprised of humoral immunity and cellular immunity, and involves many proteins and molecules. Research on the innate immune system of insects has advanced greatly in recent years, mainly due to research on the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. D. melanogaster is an ideal model organism for studying innate immunity due to its clear genetic background and many available manipulation tools. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and immune signaling pathways have been well investigated in Drosophila. In this mini-review, we summarize recent advances in research on the innate immune system of Drosophila over the last 20 years. We hope that this review will inspire the study of the innate immune mechanisms of other insect species and provide a theoretical basis for pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]