Detection of Wolbachia Infections in Natural and Laboratory Populations of the Moroccan Hessian Fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say)

Abstract

Mayetiola destructor (Hessian fly) is a destructive pest of wheat in several parts of the world. Here, we investigated the presence of reproductive symbionts and the effect of the geographical location on the bacterial community associated to adult Hessian flies derived from four major wheat producing areas in Morocco. Using specific 16S rDNA PCR assay, Wolbachia infection was observed in 3% of the natural populations and 10% of the laboratory population. High throughput sequencing of V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene revealed that the microbiota of adult Hessian flies was significantly influenced by their native regions. A total of 6 phyla, 10 classes and 79 genera were obtained from all the samples. Confirming the screening results, Wolbachia was identified as well in the natural Hessian flies. Phylogenetic analysis using the sequences obtained in this study indicated that there is one Wolbachia strain belonging to supergroup A. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Wolbachia in Hessian fly populations. The observed low abundance of Wolbachia most likely does not indicate induction of reproductive incompatibility. Yet, this infection may give a new insight into the use of Wolbachia for the fight against Hessian fly populations.

New Insights on the Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) Bacteriome

“…Results suggest that the composition of the bacterial communities was significantly associated to the origin of the population. Changes in the structure of microbial communities among populations with different geographic distributions have been recorded in other Z. cucurbitae populations [ 16 , 50 ], but also in other fly species or insects [ 18 , 19 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. Seasonal changes in climate conditions may shift the composition of the insect microbiome [ 54 ].…”

Characterization of the Bacterial Microbiome in Natural Populations of Barley Stem Gall Midge, Mayetiola hordei, in Morocco

“…However, it was detected in a recent study of Hessian fly originating from Morocco, with a total of 13 samples out of 244 (5%) carrying Wolbachia infections: three females and ten males. Concerning HTS DNA sequence datasets, Wolbachia infections were also detected: 31 individuals out of 40 (78%) in various Hessian fly populations [ 34 ]. The Hessian fly shares with BSGM a similar distribution, similar morphology, and comparable symptoms in host plants [ 29 ].…”

“…Since the research on the bacterial microbiome of this insect is still limited, it is the first time that changes in the structure of microbial communities have been observed in populations of BSGM with various geographic distributions. However, it has also been reported in other fly or insect species, including cases of the Hessian fly (M. destructor ) [ 34 , 61 ], oriental fruit fly ( Bactrocera dorsalis ) [ 90 , 91 ], and melon fly ( Zeugodacus cucurbitae ) [ 92 , 93 ].…”

“…Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum detected in the four regions of Abda, Doukkala, Fes-Meknes, and Rabat. This phylum was also the most abundant in other insects, such as the Hessian fly from Morocco (three out of four regions) [ 34 ], the Asian rice gall midge ( O. oryzae ) from India [ 63 ], and the melon fly from Bangladesh ( Z. cucurbitae ) [ 92 , 93 ]. However, the classification of the rest of the phyla, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes, was different from one region to the other, in agreement with the results for other insects [ 34 , 62 , 92 ].…”

“…At the genus level, different frequencies were observed between collection regions in Morocco for Empedobacter , Ralstonia , Afipia , and Pseudomonas . Regarding Wolbachia -infection, it was detected in all Moroccan regions with a different relative abundance [ 34 ]. Additionally, Bansal et al (2011) identified four phyla in Hessian fly adults based on classical sequencing: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes.…”