Wolbachia Transinfection and Effect on the Biological Traits of Matsumuratettix hiroglyphicus (Matsumura), the Leafhopper Vector of Sugarcane White Leaf Disease

Kamonrat Suwanchaisri, Jariya Roddee and Jureemart Wangkeeree ()
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Kamonrat Suwanchaisri: Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
Jariya Roddee: School of Crop Production Technology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Jureemart Wangkeeree: Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: The bacterial genus Wolbachia induces reproductive abnormalities in its insect host, including cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), which causes embryonic death in the crossing of infected males and uninfected females. Hence, Wolbachia -based strategies are employed to control insect pests. However, Wolbachia does not naturally infect Matsumuratettix hiroglyphicus (Matsumura), the main vector of the phytoplasma causing the sugarcane white leaf (SCWL) disease. In this study, the w Yfla Wolbachia strain, which induces strong CI in its original host, was microinjected into nymphs of M. hiroglyphicus . Molecular detection revealed that Wolbachia was successfully transinfected into the recipient host, with an infection frequency of 55–80% in up to eight generations after transinfection. Wolbachia exhibited no significant detrimental effects on the developmental time of the immature stages, adult emergences, and female longevity, whereas the lifespan of transinfected males was decreased. Reciprocal crossing revealed that Wolbachia infection did not affect the number of eggs laid per female. However, the hatching rate produced by the pairs between the transinfected males and naturally uninfected females significantly decreased. The evidence of Wolbachia transmitted through the generations tested and partial CI occurrence in transinfected M. hiroglyphicus highlights the possibility of the future development of Wolbachia -based strategies for controlling the vector of SCWL.

Keywords: leafhopper; Wolbachia; phytoplasma; cytoplasmic incompatibility; transinfection; nymphal microinjection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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