Covert infection with an RNA virus affects medfly fitness and the interaction with its natural parasitoid Aganaspis daci

Article Ecology

The Diversity of Viral Community in Invasive Fruit Flies (Bactrocera and Zeugodacus) Revealed by Meta-transcriptomics

Wei Zhang et al.

Summary: Using meta-transcriptomics, 39 viral sequences were identified in samples from 12 fly species, showing the diversity and infection activity of RNA viromes in ecologically associated invasive fruit fly species.

MICROBIAL ECOLOGY (2022)

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Article Virology

Expanding the Medfly Virome: Viral Diversity, Prevalence, and sRNA Profiling in Mass-Reared and Field-Derived Medflies

Luis Hernandez-Pelegrin et al.

Summary: By utilizing transcriptome mining, the RNA virome of the medfly was characterized, revealing the presence of multiple viruses, including two novel ones. Field-collected medflies exhibited higher viral diversity compared to laboratory-reared ones. Although these viruses do not cause obvious symptoms in medflies, their interactions may still impact the fitness and ecology of the medfly population.

VIRUSES-BASEL (2022)

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Article Biology

Many evolutionary roads led to virus domestication in ichneumonoid parasitoid wasps

Bernardo F. Santos et al.

Summary: Past studies on endogenous viral elements (EVEs) in parasitoid wasps have focused on a few species and often underreported negative results. Recent research suggests that multiple viral lineages may have integrated into more species of Ichneumonoidea than previously thought. The decreasing cost of genomic and bioinformatic approaches now allows for the search of viral sequences within wasp genomes, presenting a promising avenue for research. Advances in wasp phylogenetics have provided insights into the evolutionary history of EVE integration, but many questions remain unanswered.

CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE (2022)

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Article Zoology

Tephritid fruit flies have a large diversity of co-occurring RNA viruses

Stephen R. Sharpe et al.

Summary: Through analyzing transcriptome libraries from laboratory populations of nine tephritid species from Australia, Asia, and Europe, new viral diversity was detected, with 34 putative viruses belonging to eight RNA virus families found. The presence and co-occurrence of viruses differed between laboratory and field populations, raising concerns about the potential accumulation of viruses in laboratory and mass-rearing environments which might impact research and control programs like SIT.

JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY (2021)

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Review Virology

A Systematic Review on Viruses in Mass-Reared Edible Insect Species

Michela Bertola et al.

Summary: This review examines the presence of viruses in edible insects, which could pose risks to both the insects themselves and human and animal health, potentially impacting large-scale rearing systems.

VIRUSES-BASEL (2021)

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Review Entomology

Sterile Insect Technique Programme against Mediterranean Fruit Fly in the Valencian Community (Spain)

Ignacio Pla et al.

Summary: The Mediterranean fruit fly is a destructive pest in the fruit-growing areas, especially affecting citrus in the Valencian Community. By implementing an area-wide integrated pest management program, primarily using the sterile insect technique, there has been a significant reduction in the use of insecticides and an increase in citrus and fresh fruit exports.

INSECTS (2021)

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Article Entomology

A Minor Role of Host Fruit on the Parasitic Performance of Aganaspis daci (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) on Medfly Larvae

Luis de Pedro et al.

Summary: The study measured the olfactory and parasitic response of Aganaspis daci to different fruit species hosting medfly larvae, with the parasitoid being more attracted to apples and uninfested fruit but showing variable parasitic activity under different environmental conditions. A. daci may be a good candidate for controlling medfly in various crops, but its performance is highly dependent on climate conditions.

INSECTS (2021)

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Article Virology