Wolbachia infection affects female fecundity in Drosophila suzukii

Bacteria in the genus Wolbachia are intracellular symbionts widespread in several arthropod species that majorly cause reprodu c-tive alterations in their hosts, but may also display a variety of other beneficial or negative interactions. In this study, an antibiotic-treated Wolbachia-free line of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera Drosophilidae) was created in the laboratory for mating with the naturally Wolbachia-infected flies. Crossing experiments on two consecutive fly generations between antibiotic-treated and untreated individuals were carried out to evaluate the effect of Wolbachia on D. suzukii. The results obtained showed no difference in the vitality of parental individuals; nevertheless a reduction of 30-50% in emerging progeny abundance was recorded in all crosses when females were cured of Wolbachia. These results suggest a mutualistic association between Wolbachia and D. suzukii, resulting in increased female fecundity. Further research on this symbiotic interaction could have promising implications for developing symbiotic strategies for the containment of D. suzukii.