ARS | Publication request: Molecular characterization of Psyttalia lounsburyi,a candidate biocontrol agent of the olive fruit ¿y,and its Wolbachia symbionts as a pre-requisite for future intraspeci¿c hybridization

Submitted to: Biocontrol
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 14, 2011
Publication Date: February 27, 2011
Citation: Cheyppe-Buchmann, S., Bon, M., Warot, S., Jones, W.A., Malausa, T., Fauvergue, X., Ris, N. 2011. Molecular characterization of Psyttalia lounsburyi,a candidate biocontrol agent of the olive fruit,and its Wolbachia symbionts as a pre-requisite for future intraspecic hybridization.. Biocontrol. DOI 10.1007/s10526-011-9346-x.

Interpretive Summary: Population genetic studies are necessary to guide the choice of biological control agents based on both genetic differences among native populations and the genetic compatibility of their symbionts. The present study addresses this issue in the context of the biological control of the olive fruit 'y Bactrocera oleae (Diptera, Tephritidae), an insect pest of olives that is responsible for economic losses of approximatelyUS$ 800 millions per year. The endoparasitoid P. lounsburyi has been recently identi'ed as a candidate biological control agent and is found in Kenya, Namibia and South Africa. The present study has two complementary aims. The 'rst is to document the population genetics of this parasitoid using molecular markers.The second aim is to search for its endosymbionts, and more speci'cally to document the diversity of Wolbachia.

Technical Abstract: Numerous arthropod species are genetically differentiated across their distribution area. Diversifying the geographical origins of a biocontroagent species can be used to favour their perennial establishment by the sampling of pre-adapted genotypes and/or the production of new genotypes through hybridization. Hybridization can be nevertheless challenged by reproductive isolations induced by some common microbial endosymbionts. In this study, we aimed at characterizing (i) the genetic diversity of six populations of Psyttalia lounsburyi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a candidate biocontrol agent of the olive fruit 'y Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) and (ii) the diversity of their Wolbachia endosymbionts. Both mitochondrial and microsatellite markers evidence clustering between the South African population and several Kenyan/Namibian populations. The survey of the Wolbachia also distinguished two main variants with a spatial heterogeneity in the infection status. All these results were discussed in the context of the use of these P. lounsburyi populations for hybridization and further 'eld releases.