Partners in protection: insects and their defensive symbionts

To protect themselves against harmful microorganisms, certain insects such as Lagria beetles and beewolves establish associations with symbiotic bacteria. These symbionts produce antibiotic or antimycotic substances against pathogenic fungi and in return are protected by the hosts from their own defense mechanisms. Investigations into such protective symbioses not only provide exciting insights into the biology of insects, but can also reveal valuable findings for human medicine.