How to translate text using browser tools
1 November 2001 A Novel Technique for Removing Wolbachia Infections from Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Stephen L. Dobson, Wanchai Rattanadechakul
Author Affiliations +
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. albopictus 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.

Stephen L. Dobson and Wanchai Rattanadechakul "A Novel Technique for Removing Wolbachia Infections from Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)," Journal of Medical Entomology 38(6), 844-849, (1 November 2001). https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-2585-38.6.844
Received: 4 January 2001; Accepted: 1 June 2001; Published: 1 November 2001
JOURNAL ARTICLE
6 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
Aedes albopictus
Culex pipiens
cytoplasmic incompatibility
tetracycline
Wolbachia pipientis
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top