ARS | Publication request: DISTRIBUTION OF WOLBACHIA STRAINS AND MITOCHONDRIAL DNA HAPLOTYPES IN AN AGRICULTURAL PEST, THE NORTHERN CORN ROOTWORM (DIABROTICA BARBERI)

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 2, 2006
Publication Date: June 24, 2006
Citation: Roehrdanz, R.L., Levine, E. 2006. Distribution of Wolbachia strains and mitochondrial DNA haplotypes in an agricultural pest, the northern corn rootworm (Diabrotica barberi) [abstract]. Fourth International Wolbachia Conference. Presentation No. P2-13.

Technical Abstract: A previously discovered mtDNA demarcation zone in USA populations of northern corn rootworm (NCR) appears to be associated with at least 2 different Wolbachia strains. The mtDNA boundary in eastern Illinois correlates with a Wolbachia strain boundary. A less well defined boundary in west central Illinois divides infected from uninfected NCR. No Wolbachia infection has been detected west of the Mississippi River. NCR Type 1 Wolbachia was found from eastern Illinois to Pennsylvania. Sequences of a portion of ftsZ and wsp revealed that this strain is nearly identical (<0.3%) to the Wolbachia strain found in the western corn rootworm (D virgifera virgifera). NCR Type 2 Wolbachia occurs in central Illinois and differs by 3.1% (ftsZ) and >10% (wsp) from NCR Type 1 Wolbachia. Geographic distribution of Wolbachia strains is based on RFLP differences in the ftsZ and wsp genes. NCR mtDNA diversity is reduced in regions with substantial Wolbachia infection. Where the mtDNA clades adjoin some individuals are infected with both Wolbachia NCR Types 1 and 2 and appear also to harbor additional Wolbachia genotypes which could be the results of recombination. Multiple infection may be more prevalent among NCR with eastern clade mtDNA.