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Wolbachia induces strong cytoplasmic incompatibility in the predatory bug Macrolophus pygmaeus

T Machtelinckx1, T Van Leeuwen, B Vanholme

  • 1Department of Crop Protection, Ghent University, Belgium.

Insect Molecular Biology
|June 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

The beneficial insect Macrolophus pygmaeus harbors Wolbachia bacteria, which cause reproductive issues like cytoplasmic incompatibility. This finding impacts the biological control agent

Area of Science:

  • Entomology
  • Microbiology
  • Biological Control

Background:

  • Macrolophus pygmaeus is a key predator for biological control in European greenhouses.
  • This insect is crucial for managing pests like whiteflies, aphids, thrips, and spider mites.
  • The presence and impact of endosymbiotic bacteria in beneficial insects are of significant interest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and characteristics of endosymbiotic bacteria in Macrolophus pygmaeus.
  • To determine the phylogenetic placement of the identified endosymbiont.
  • To assess the reproductive effects, specifically cytoplasmic incompatibility, induced by the endosymbiont.

Main Methods:

  • Sequencing of endosymbiont gene fragments for phylogenetic analysis.
  • Immunolocalization techniques to visualize the endosymbiont within insect ovarioles.
  • Tetracycline treatment over 13 generations to reduce endosymbiont concentration.
  • Cross-mating experiments to evaluate reproductive compatibility.

Main Results:

  • Macrolophus pygmaeus was confirmed to be infected with Wolbachia pipientis, belonging to supergroup B.
  • Tetracycline treatment significantly reduced Wolbachia concentration but did not achieve complete eradication.
  • The endosymbiont was found to induce severe cytoplasmic incompatibility in M. pygmaeus.

Conclusions:

  • This study reports the first instance of Wolbachia-induced reproductive effects in an economically important heteropteran predator.
  • The identified cytoplasmic incompatibility has significant implications for the commercial production and application of M. pygmaeus in biological control.
  • Understanding endosymbiont-host interactions is vital for optimizing biological control strategies.

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