First record of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia for phytophagous hoverflies from genus Merodon (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Wolbachia is a widespread bacterial endosymbiont among arthropod species. It influences the reproduction
of the host species and also mitochondrial DNA diversity. Until now there were only a few studies that
detected Wolbachia infections in hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae), and this is the first broader study with the
aim of examining the incidence of Wolbachia in the hoverfly genus Merodon. The obtained results indicate
an infection rate of 96% and the presence of both Wolbachia supergroup A and B, which are characteristic
for most of the infected arthropod species. Additionally, the presence of multiple Wolbachia strains in the
Merodon aureus group species was detected and the mitochondrial DNA COI-based relationships of the
group are discussed in the light of infection. Finally, we discuss plant-mediated horizontal transmission of
Wolbachia strains among the studied hoverfly species.