Biologist Dr. Luis R. Paniagua Voirol, a member of Prof. Dr. Mitja Remus-Emsermann's research group at the Institute of Biology at Freie Universität Berlin, will be funded by the Einstein Foundation Berlin as an Einstein Starting Researcher for four years starting in February 2025. He wants to investigate whether gut bacteria help adult moths and butterflies to adapt to changing environments.

Many insect species depend on gut bacteria for nutrition and immune defense. However, knowledge about these microbial communities in butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) is limited. Previous research has mostly focused on caterpillars, the juvenile stage of these insects. These studies showed that caterpillars do not have persistent bacteria in their gut. In contrast, adult butterflies and moths have many gut bacteria. This raises the question of whether they benefit from these bacteria.

Previous studies by Dr. Luis R. Paniagua Voirol found that adult Lepidoptera without gut bacteria have less resilient offspring. This suggests that adult gut bacteria have transgenerational effects and help the caterpillars of their offspring to adapt to environmental challenges. Given the threats posed by climate change, antibiotic pollution and habitat loss, it is important to understand how Lepidoptera cope with environmental problems.

Luis R. Paniagua Voirol will investigate how gut bacteria of adult Lepidoptera influence the genetic activity and performance of the insects over generations. The biologist will include three different species of butterflies and moths to assess the spread of these bacteria-related effects. His research will deepen our understanding of this ecologically and economically important group of insects and provide a basis for better conservation strategies and biological pest control.