Double infection with Wolbachia strains in three species of bumblebees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
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Key Words：Wolbachia, Bombus, bumblebees, double infection, 16S rDNA
Abstract： Wolbachia is a group of maternally inherited intracellular bacteria that may manipulate the reproduction of their arthropod hosts through distinct mechanisms, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), thelytoky (T), feminization (F) or male killing (MK). Using 16S rDNA as a molecular marker, different body parts (heads, thorax, legs and genitalia) of three bumblebee species, including two native species (Bombus hypocrite and Bombus lucorum) and one labreared species (Bombus terrestris) were screened for Wolbachia. Infection with two Wolbachia strains (strain A and strain B) was found in all body parts except the head in all three species. This is the first evidence of infection with both Wolbachia strains A and B in social Hymenopteran insects and of Wolbachia infection in bumblebees. The effects of Wolbachia on the reproduction and sex ratio of bumblebees is briefly discussed, including the possibility that Wolbachia could be involved in bumblebees. It’s possible that Wolbachia could be a potential factor inducing reproductive conflict and a feminized sex-ratio in bumblebee colonies.