Detrmination of endosymbiont bacteria in of pomoegranate aphid aphis punicae passerini (Hemiptera: Aphididae) populations in Antalya province

Aphids inhabit numerous plants in agricultural regions as their hosts. Aphids harbor endosymbionts that impact various aspects including reproduction, climate and medication resistance for host plant selection. In general, research on endosymbionts has been carried out on aphids. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research regarding the endosymbionts of the pomegranate aphid, Aphis punicae. This study aimed to identify the endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia, Hamiltonella defensa, Rickettsia and, Arsenophonus present in pomegranate aphids Aphis punicae (Hemiptera: Aphidie), which pose a significant risk to pomegranate plants, in several sites within the Antalya province, by employing molecular techniques. To achieve this objective, aphid specimens were gathered from trees located in parks, roadsides, and gardens in 10 regions including Korkuteli, Döşemealtı-Bademağacı, Döşemealtı-Çığlık, Kemer, Konyaaltı, Merkez-meydankavağı, Murutpaşa-Güzeloba, Aksu, Serik, and Alanya.The PCR reaction was used to detect the existence and prevalence of endosymbiont bacteria in individuals form each region. Overall, the combined group consists of five individuals from 10 different location, and the proportions of four endosymbionts in a sample of 50 individuals were stated as a %52, Hamiltonella defensa %62, Rickettsia %68, and Arsenophonus %74. Consequently, the symbionts of Aphis punicae, which was discovered for the first time in Antalya, were thereby identified as Wolbachia, Hamiltonella defensa, Rickettsia, and Arsenophonus. Wolbachia, Hamiltonella defensa, Rickettsia, and Arsenophonus endosymbionts were infected in double, triple and quadruple ways. It was observed in dokuz individuals in six location; Korkuteli, Çığlık, Kemer, Konyaaltı, Alanya and Serik where four endosymbiont were present at the same time.