Frequency of infection with A and B supergroup Wolbachia in insects and pests associated with mulberry and silkworm

Abstract

Wolbachia is a ubiquitous, Gram-negative,vertically transmitted, alpha-proteobacterium that causes an array of reproductive abnormalities including cytoplasmic incompatibility, feminization of genetic males, parthenogenesis in a number of insect species, among others. Wolbachia is now being exploited as an agent for pest and vector control. Previous surveys indicated that it is commonly seen in 16-76% of arthropods. In this paper, using polymerase chain reaction assay based on specific amplification of the ftsZ -A and -B supergroup Wolbachia gene fragments, we found that 30% of insects and pests screened were positive for Wolbachia. Among them 66.7% harbour double Wolbachia infection, while 33.3 % harbour single Wolbachia infection. These results indicate widespread infection with both double and single Wolbachia, and provide a wealth of information to exploit this endobacterium for the management of pests and vectors.