Endosymbiont bacteria status in phosphine resistant and susceptible populations of sitophilus granarius

Wheat is the one of the most important cultivated plants in the world. The biggest problem after harvest is the stored product pests. Against the pests, phosphine was applied. But, the pests can develop resistance against phosphine. There are some studies about the role of endosymbiont bacteria in developing resistance to pesticides. In this study, the presence of endosymbiont bacteria Wolbachia, Rickettsia and Spiroplasma were investigated on phosphine-resistant and susceptible granary weevil Sitophilus granarius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) populations at eight populations from five provinces of four regions in Türkiye. For that, DNA isolation, Touchdown PCR, and agarose gel electrophoresis were carried out and, infection rates were determined. The infection rates in susceptible and resistant populations were determined respectively for Wolbachia 49.75% and 87.25%, Rickettsia 45.65% and 37.50% and, Spiroplasma 49.80% ve 28.50%. Two endosymbionts were determined in three of the populations and all endosymbionts were determined in the other five populations. In addition, multiple infections in susceptible populations were not found for 33%, 25%, 12% for W+R, W+S, W+R+S and R+S. Multiple infections in resistant populations W+S, W+R+S; It was found to be 12%, 4% and W+R, S+R multiple infections were not found.