Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility in single- and superinfected Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Maternally inherited bacteria of the genus Volbachia can cause cytoplasmic incompatibility resulting in the developmental arrest of early embryos. Previous studies have shown that both single- and superinfections of Wolbachia naturally occur in populations of Aedes albopictus (Skuse). Here, we report crossing experiments using three infection types occurring in Ae. albopictus: uninfected, single-infected, and superinfected individuals. Crosses were monitored over the lifetime of adults to detect possible effects of host age on cytoplasmic incompatibility levels and infection virulence. Both single- and superinfections induced high levels of cytoplasmic incompatibility throughout the lifetime of Ae. albopictus, demonstrating that both the single- and superinfections are well adapted for invasion of Ae. albopictus populations. Superinfected females were the longest lived and had the highest oviposition rates, whereas in males, uninfected individuals were the longest lived. These latter results demonstrate the need for additional experiments to better elucidate Wolbachia effects on host fitness in addition to cytoplasmic incompatibility.