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Abstract:
In order to survive microbe encounters, insects rely on both physical barriers as well as local and systemic
immune responses. Most research focusses on adult or larval defenses however, whereas insect
eggs are also in need of protection. Lately, the defense of eggs against microbes has received an
increasing amount of attention, be it through endogenous egg defenses, trans-generational immune
priming (TGIP) or parental investment. Here we studied the endogenous immune response in eggs and
adults of Tenebrio molitor. We show that many immune genes are induced in both adults and eggs.
Furthermore, we show that eggs reach comparable levels of immune gene expression as adults. These
findings show that the eggs of Tenebrio are capable of an impressive endogenous immune response, and
indicate that such inducible egg defenses are likely common in insects.
