Environmental Entomology (2009) 38, 1365-1372

Fu-Xian Jia, Man-San Yang, Wen-Jia Yang and Jin-Jun Wang (2009)
Influence of continuous high temperature conditions on Wolbachia infection frequency and the fitness of Liposcelis tricolor (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae)
Environmental Entomology 38 (5), 1365-1372
Abstract: Endosymbiotic bacteria that potentially influence reproduction and other fitness-related traits of their hosts are widespread in arthropods, and their appeal to researchers' interest is growing. In this study, the influence of continuous high temperature conditions on Wolbachia infection frequency and the fitness of Liposcelis tricolor (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) was studied in a laboratory. The results showed that the Wolbachia infection frequency was gradually decreased when L. tricolor was reared at 33°C; after six generations of treatment, no Wolbachia wsp gene product was detected, suggesting that the Wolbachia infection was completely eliminated. The combined immature development periods and survival rates of L. tricolor did not vary significantly among six generations; however, the female longevities and fecundities dramatically declined from F₁ through F₆, resulting in decreasing values of population intrinsic rate of increase (r_m ). Using r_m values, the fitness for F₂, F₃, F₄, F₅, and F₆ relative to F₁ was calculated as 0.995, 0.953, 0.811, 0.700, and 0.552, respectively. We realize that it is not possible to distinguish between the effects of high temperature may have on the metabolic processes of the psocids and the effects of temperature-induced reduction in bacterial infection frequencies. Our study confirms that the combined use of antibiotics and heat treatment is a good control measure for psocids.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Jin-Jun Wang

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Liposcelis tricolor
Wolbachia (genus - entomopathogens)	Liposcelis tricolor