Wolbachia-mediated reproductive manipulation in rice planthoppers
Yue-Di Niu1, Meng-Ke Wang1, Zhi-Chao Yan1
1Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 211800, Jiangsu, China.
Crop Health
|February 6, 2026
Summary
Wolbachia bacteria impact rice planthopper reproduction differently depending on the strain and host. Some strains increase fertility, while others cause cytoplasmic incompatibility, offering potential for pest control.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Rice planthoppers are significant agricultural pests in China.
- Wolbachia endosymbionts are prevalent in these insects, influencing their reproduction.
- Different Wolbachia strains exhibit varied effects on planthopper reproduction, including cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and fertility changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the strain-specific effects of Wolbachia on rice planthoppers (Nilaparvata lugens, Laodelphax striatellus, Sogatella furcifera).
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which Wolbachia influences planthopper reproduction and egg production.
- To explore the potential of Wolbachia-planthopper interactions for agricultural pest management.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of Wolbachia strains (wLug, wStri, wSfur) and their infection levels in different planthopper species.
- Investigation of reproductive manipulation mechanisms, including cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and fertility enhancement.
- Genomic analysis of CI factors (cifA-cifB) and identification of host-associated proteins (CAL, NDUFA8) involved in CI.
Main Results:
- Wolbachia strain wLug enhances fecundity in N. lugens without CI.
- Wolbachia strain wStri induces complete CI and enhances reproduction in L. striatellus.
- Wolbachia strain wSfur shows minimal CI and fecundity effects in S. furcifera.
- Host factors like CAL and NDUFA8 are associated with CI in L. striatellus.
- Wolbachia promotes reproduction via B vitamin synthesis, vitellogenin upregulation, and germ cell division.
Conclusions:
- Wolbachia exhibits diverse, strain-specific reproductive effects on rice planthoppers.
- Both symbiont and host factors modulate the strength of cytoplasmic incompatibility.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing novel biological control strategies against planthopper pests.
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