Environmental Entomology (2013) 42, 445-452

Dong-Xiao Zhao, Xiang-Fei Zhang and Xiao-Yue Hong (2013)
Host-symbiont interactions in spider mite Tetranychus truncatus doubly infected with Wolbachia and Cardinium
Environmental Entomology 42 (3), 445-452
Abstract: Inherited bacteria Wolbachia, and more recently Cardinium, have received a great deal of attention for their ability to manipulate the reproduction and fitness of their host species. Wolbachia and Cardinium have been found to co-infect the same host species. In this study, both Wolbachia and Cardinium were found to manipulate host reproduction through cytoplasmic incompatibility and to affect the male-biased sex-ratio in the doubly infected spider mite Tetranychus truncatus Ehara. We also investigated effects of double infection with Wolbachia and Cardinium on host fecundity and longevity. Results indicated that Wolbachia and Cardinium increased the fecundity of doubly infected females, although no infection effect on host longevity was observed. Our most important finding was that the mating of uninfected mites facilitated the proliferation of Wolbachia and Cardinium in double-infected mites. We discuss the results observed with respect to the spread of bacterial infection in natural populations and the evolution of the endosymbiont - T. truncatus symbiosis.
(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): Xiao-Yue Hong

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tetranychus truncatus	Soybean (Glycine max)	China (NE)