Cross-order transfer of Wolbachia from Muscidifurax uniraptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to Drosophila simulans (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Bacteria of the genus Wolbachia are widespread in arthropods and can induce different effects on the host such as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), thelytoky (T) or feminization (F). In some Wolbachia-infected hosts, no effect (N) has been found. Successful transfer of Wolbachia by microinjection from one host to an uninfected one has been established with CI, F, N-Wolbachia but not with T-Wolbachia. In this paper a transfer experiment of T-Wolbachia from the parasitoid Muscidifurax uniraptor to Drosophila simulans is described. The infection could be detected in the new host for several generations by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, no specific effects on the host were detected, and the bacteria were not stably maintained.