Compositions and related methods for agriculture

Abstract

Provided herein are agents, compositions, and methods for agricultural use, e.g., for altering the level, activity, or metabolism of one or more microorganisms resident in a host nematode or arthropod (e.g., honeybee or silkworm), the alteration resulting in an increase in the fitness of the host. The invention features a composition that includes an agent (e.g., phage, peptide, small molecule, antibiotic, or combinations thereof) that can alter the host's microbiota in a manner that is beneficial to the host. By promoting favorable microbial levels, microbial activity, microbial metabolism, and/or microbial diversity, the agents described herein may be used to increase the fitness of a variety of beneficial nematodes or arthropods, such as bees and silkworms, utilized in agriculture and commerce.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method for increasing the health of a honeybee, the method comprising:
 (a) providing, making, or obtaining an amino acid-producing bacteria; and   (b) administering to the honeybee a composition comprising the amino acid-producing bacteria formulated with an insect comestible carrier;   wherein the amino acid-producing bacteria is delivered in an amount sufficient to increase the mobility, body weight, life span, fecundity, metabolic rate, or honey production of the honeybee relative to a honeybee to which the composition has not been administered.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the amino acid-producing bacteria are administered at a concentration of at least 100,000 cells/mL. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the amino acid-producing bacteria alters the honeybee microbiome. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the amino acid-producing bacteria is a methionine-producing bacteria. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the amino acid-producing bacteria is a glutamate-producing bacteria. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the administration comprises delivering the composition to the honeybee in a honeybee hive. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the administration comprises delivering the composition to at least one habitat where the honeybee grows, lives, reproduces, or feeds. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the honeybee is in a honeybee colony. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is a liquid, a solid, an aerosol, a paste, a gel, or a gas. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the honeybee is developmentally an embryo, larva, pupa, or adult. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the honeybee is a worker honeybee.