The Endosymbiotic Bacterium Wolbachia Reduces Longevity But Seems Essential for Ongoing Culture of the Parasitoid Wasp, Diadegma Semiclausum , a Commercially Important Biocontrol Agent

Key Points

• The research aims to examine the effects of Wolbachia on the longevity of Diadegma semiclausum wasps and its implications for biocontrol.
• Assessment of Wolbachia infection resilience in wasps
• Evaluation of longevity under varying densities
• Discussion on potential artificial selection
• Wolbachia infection is resilient in Diadegma semiclausum wasps.
• High densities of Wolbachia may reduce the wasps' longevity.
• Implications suggest exploring artificial selection for better-performing strains in mass-rearing.