How the ‘kitome’ influences the characterization of bacterial communities in lepidopteran samples with low bacterial biomass

Abstract Aims We aimed to elucidate whether the DNA extraction kit and bacteria therein affect characterization of bacterial communities associated with butterfly samples harbouring different abundancies. Methods Results analysed eggs Pieris brassicae adults this butterfly, which were either untreated or treated antibiotics (ABs). Three kits used. Regardless used, PCR amplification 16S rRNA gene detected very low presence in AB-treated butterflies. In butterflies, signal intensity varied according primers Sequencing (MiSeq) butterflies revealed a alpha diversity because dominance few genera, detectable regardless kit. However, significantly greater was found evidencing true bias results due contaminants Conclusions The so-called ‘kitome’ can impact profiling Lepidoptera-associated biomass. Significance Impact Study Our study highlights necessity method testing analysis negative controls when investigating communities.