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Abstract

 Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular alpha-proteobacteria infecting arthropods and Nematodes. Several studies suggest that Wolbachia could be implicated in speciation processes, because of its capacity to alter the reproduction of their hosts, mainly by inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility. My previous work therefore investigates the genetic diversity of Wolbachia infecting Chorthippus parallelus (Orthoptera) and its effects. We reported significant differences in Wolbachia infection frequencies among C. parallelus populations. We also described different strains infecting C. parallelus and their geographic distribution. Furthermore, these bacteria induce unidirectional and bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibilities in this host. For these reasons, we propose that Wolbachia should be taken into account as a new factor affecting the dynamics of the C. parallelus hybrid zone. I also collaborated in other projects, including the analysis of Wolbachia genome integrated in insect chromosomes. We analysed the particular case of Podisma pedestris (Orthoptera). During my postdoc in INRA, we will carry out a selection program in Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera). We expect to select a “more efficient” Trichogramma strain in order to implement this new strain as biological control agent (BCA).