Determination of endosymbiont bacteria species by using moleculer diagnostic methods in cryptolestes ferrugineus populations of Turkey

Bacteria are the most important members of insect microbial flora. These microorganisms create important food for insects, contribute to nutrient digestion, synthesize useful vitamins and enzymes, bind nitrogen, provide resistance to insecticides, produce pheromones and contribute to insect life in order to compete with insect pathogen bacteria. Novel, environmentally sensitive and more effective control methods in managing pests are required. First of all, it is determined that pest insect species in our country have endosimbiont bacterial composition and then, considering the characteristics of these bacterial species, experiments can make a new struggle strategy possible. From this point of view, the presence of secondary pest, Endosimbiont in the Rusty Grain Beetle Cryptolestes ferrugineus, which is commonly found in the warehouses of our country, is noteworthy. Therefore, 10 different (5 resistant, 5 sensitive) Cryptolestes ferrugineus populations were collected from different grain storages in Turkey with different levels of resistance to phosphine. The presence of Wolbachia, Rickettsia and Spiroplasma were determined by synthetic primers and PCR method for the first time in our country. At least one endosymbiont was identified in 12 of the 60 individuals examined. Three species of endosymbiont bacteria were investigated in one individual and only one species of endosimbiont was found in one individual. Wolbachia was detected in three out of 10 populations, Rickettsia in six, and Spiroplasma in one population. Seven of the total population in Turkey (%70) were found to be infected with at least one endosymbiont however, it was concluded that there was no effect on phosphine resistance. This study is also the first study in the world to show that C. ferrugineus is infected with endosimbiont bacteria.