Microbial Flora of the Tarnished Plant Bug, Lygus lineolaris; Impacts on Natural Populations

We have identified four RNA viruses and three strains of endosymbionts in natural populations of the tarnished plant bug (TPB). We have characterized genomes of three viruses, of which two are virulent to TPB. We have also identified three strains of Wolbachia endosymbiont in TPB. In several insec species, Wolbachia is known to cause various reproductive incompatibilities between infected and uninfected insects as well as between insects infected with different strains of Wolbachia. In addition, it has been demonstrated that insects infected with Wolbachia is immune to infection by viral and fungal pathogens. In this report, we discuss the impacts of the viral and endosymbiont infections on natural populations of TPB and potential complications in biological control of TPB with Beauveria bassiana.