Journal of Economic Entomology (2008) 101, 1711-1717

Jin-Jun Wang, Peng Dong, Li-Sha Xiao and Wei Dou (2008)
Effects of removal of Cardinium infection on fitness of the stored-product pest Liposcelis bostrychophila (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae)
Journal of Economic Entomology 101 (5), 1711-1717
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 still increasing. In this study, the effects of removal of Cardinium infection on development, survival, and reproduction of Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) were investigated in the laboratory. The Cardinium-free strain was obtained by the removal of Cardinium infection by using 1% rifampicin treatment on the Cardinium-infected strain (control) for 4 wk, and no Cardinium gene product was detected in this strain throughout the experiment. The results showed that the removal of Cardinium infection had negative effects on fitness of L. bostrychophila. Compared with the control strain, the Cardinium-free strain (both in first [F₁] and second [F₂] generation) had a similar developmental time, reduced survivorship of immature stages, as well as reduced fecundity, which resulted in much smaller r_m values. Using r_m values, the fitness for Cardinium-free F₁ and F₂ relative to the control was calculated as 0.81 and 0.74, respectively. We concluded that the use of antibiotics combined with heat treatment might be a good control measure for L. bostrychophila.
(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, Peng Dong

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Liposcelis bostrychophila