Kombucha, a traditional fermented beverage, has become an important topic in global health beverage research due to its potential health benefits. The aim of this review is to integrate the existing literature and analyze the interactions among microbial communities during the fermentation process of kombucha, especially how Saccharomyces, Acetobacter, and Lactobacillus generate bioactive components with health benefits through the cascade reaction in sugar metabolism–ethanol oxidation–organic acid accumulation. We also focus on the effects of fermentation conditions (e.g., time, temperature, and strain) on the microbial community structure and metabolic pathways, as well as their effects on the bioactive components and quality of kombucha microbiota (the microbial community in kombucha). By combing and analyzing the existing studies, this review provides an important theoretical basis for the optimization of the fermentation process, enhancement of health benefits, and development of functional beverages of kombucha microbiota, as well as new ideas for future research directions.

Species of the subgenus Tatsipolia Benedek, Behounek, Floriani & Saldaitis, 2011 of the genus Dasypolia Guenée, 1852 are reviewed and the genus-group names Chalapolia Benedek, Behounek, Floriani & Saldaitis, 2011 and Kitapolia Benedek, Behounek, Floriani & Saldaitis, 2011 previously considered as distinct subgenera of Dasypolia are synonymised with Tatsipolia. Six new species are described from southern Xizang, China: Dasypolia (Tatsipolia) polymorphasp. nov., Dasypolia (Tatsipolia) intermediasp. nov., Dasypolia (Tatsipolia) amoenasp. nov., Dasypolia (Tatsipolia) diffusasp. nov., Dasypolia (Tatsipolia) luxuriosasp. nov., and Dasypolia (Tatsipolia) ultramontanasp. nov. Adults and male and female genitalia of all species in Dasypolia (Tatsipolia) are illustrated.

Raffaelea lauricola is the causative agent of laurel wilt, a devastating disease of lauraceous trees. R. lauricola is also an obligate nutritional symbiont of several ambrosia beetle species who act as vectors for the pathogen. Here, we sought to establish the baseline “phenome” of R. lauricola with knowledge concerning its metabolic capability, expanding our understanding of how these processes are impacted by environmental and host nutrients. Phenotypic screening using a microarray of over one thousand compounds was used to generate a detailed profile of R. lauricola substrate utilization and chemical sensitivity. These data revealed (i) relatively restricted carbon utilization, (ii) broad sulfur and phosphate utilization, and (iii) pH and osmotic sensitivities that could be rescued by specific compounds. Additional growth profiling on fatty acids revealed toxicity on C10 substrates and lower, with robust growth on C12–C18 fatty acids. Conditions for lipid droplet (LD) visualization and LD dynamics were examined using a series of lipid dyes. These data provide unique insights regarding R. lauricola metabolism and physiology, and identify distinct patterns of substrate usage and sensitivity which likely reflect important aspects of the host-microbe interface and can be exploited for the development of strategies for mitigating the spread of laurel wilt.

A new subgenus, Macrohimalaeasubgen. nov., in the genus Himalaea Hreblay & L. Ronkay, 1998, is established and described for Himalaea (Macrohimalaea) batanga Saldaitis, Benedek & Volynkin, 2022 and for a new species, Himalaea (Macrohimalaea) silvanasp. nov. This new species is the type of the new subgenus. The new subgenus is distinct from the nominotypical one in having antennal pectination and its forewing shape and male genitalia. All four known adult specimens of the genus and their genitalia are illustrated and compared. Their collection localities are mapped.