Effects of Wolbachia-targeted tetracycline on a host-parasitoid-symbiont interaction
Puttaraju, H.P.(Bangalore Univ. (India). Dept. of Sericulture)E-mail:[email protected] | Prakash, B.M.
A method for curtailing Exorista sorbillans, a parasitoid of Bombyx mori, by administering Wolbachia-targeted tetracycline via its silkworm host's diet was investigated. Tetracycline decreased larval duration, increased silk production and fertility, without affecting hatchability. It also decreased the reproductive fitness of the uzifly endoparasite by killing the Wolbachia. The antibiotic exerts a beneficial influence by affecting the intestinal flora of silkworm larvae. When male and female flies that emerged from treated host silkworms were crossed and males from untreated hosts and females from treated hosts were crossed, approximately 72% and 97% of the eggs failed to hatch, respectively. However, of the eggs from crosses between male and female flies that emerged from untreated hosts and between males from treated hosts with females from untreated hosts, an average of 30% failed to hatch and the Wolbachia infection enhanced the fertility of uziflies.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]