A novel technique for removing Wolbachia infections from Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Stephen L. Dobson, Wanchai Rattanadechakul

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

Intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia often behave as reproductive parasites by manipulating host reproduction to enhance the vertical transmission of infections. Wolbachia infections in Aedes albopictus (Skuse) cause a reproductive manipulation known as cytoplasmic incompatibility, which can reduce brood hatch. Because field populations of Ae. albopictus are naturally infected, studies of Wolbachia-induced effects on Ae. albopictus reproduction and fitness require that Wolbachia be artificially removed. Although simple techniques for clearing Wolbachia infections from other host insects have been developed, removal of Wolbachia bacteria from Ae. albopitus is difficult. Here we describe an improved method for removing Wolbachia infections Ae. albopictus. This method differs from earlier techniques in that it relies upon the tetracycline treatment of adults instead of larvae. We demonstrate that tetracycline treatment of adult Ae. albopictus can predictably generate uninfected individuals, simplify the procedure required for Wolbachia removal, and reduce the level of inbreeding required to produce uninfected lines.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)844-849
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Medical Entomology
Volume38
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2001

Keywords

  • Aedes albopictus
  • Culex pipiens
  • Cytoplasmic incompatibility
  • Tetracycline
  • Wolbachia pipientis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • General Veterinary
  • Insect Science
  • Infectious Diseases

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