Unidirectional Cytoplasmic Incompatibility in Malaysian Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is a secondary vector of dengue and has naturally occurring Wolbachia, which is an intracellular bacteria found in most nematodes and arthropods. Previous findings demonstrated that 91.60% of Malaysian Ae. albopictus were superinfected with two major Wolbachia supergroups, namely, wAlbA and wAlbB. Wolbachia has been associated with manipulation of reproductive phenotypes of their host such as male killing, parthenogenesis, feminization, and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Cytoplasmic incompatibility is when no viable offspring are produced between Wolbachia-infected male and Wolbachia uninfected or differently infected female host. To evaluate CI, we performed a study in the laboratory using Wolbachia-free and Wolbachia-infected Ae. albopictus. Four different crosses were made, and viable eggs produced from each cross were recorded. The percentage of viable offspring produced were compared and analyzed. Results obtained suggest that native Wolbachia causes strong unidirectional CI in Malaysian Ae. albopictus. Perhaps this can be used as a possible vector control or suppression tool.