Detection and characterization of Wolbachia in Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of the diamond back moth Plutella xylostella (Linn.)

Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov) is an indigenous, larval endoparasitoid that attacks mid instar larvae of the diamond back moth (DBM). Although the parasitoid is distributed widely, not all local populations appear to be equally effective in controlling the DBM. Bacterial endosymbionts may play regulatory role in determining their efficiency. Field collected C. plutellae populations from cauliflower fields were assessed for the prevalence of the bacterial endosymbionts. Bacterial endosymbionts in the genus Wolbachia were detected in the populations obtained from Hoskote (Karnataka) and Thirupathi (Andhra Pradesh). PCR amplification using specific primers for Wolbachia revealed 528 and 518 bp for the populations, respectively. Sequencing of the Wolbachia surface protein, wsp, revealed Wolbachia infection to be related to Wolbachia endosymbiont of Cotesia glomerata outer surface protein, wsp gene (Genbank Accession No. AB094202) with maximum identity of 99% with BLAST search of NCBI. The sequence was submitted to the GenBank with the Accession No. JF421566. The detection of Wolbachia in the parasitoid signifying its role in biological manipulations of the parasitoid for enhanced efficiency is discussed.