As the most diverse and rich creatures on earth, insects perform essential roles in terrestrial ecosystems. The evolutionary success and diversification of insects have depended to some extent on their myriad associations with microorganisms. As well as, the absence of bacterial consortia may lead a reduced growth rate and high mortality in insects. Diverse bacterial communities play an essential role to insect health and fitness such as, providing nutrients which can enhance the fitness helping in digestions protect. Among the symbiotic world, Wolbachia pipientis is a gram-negative alpha-Proteobacteria (Rickettsiaceae; Rickettsiales), and considered to be the most ubiquitous obligate bacterial genus among other endosymbionts. Wolbachia contains a remarkable genetic diversity which was firstly characterized by molecular markers, i.e., 16S rRNA, ftsZ, wsp, groEL and gltA. However, more advanced strain genotyping technique was established based on multilocus sequence typing (MLST) system targeted to typing of five different loci. Therefore, based on nucleotide differentiation, Wolbachia strains can be divided into eight to eleven supergroups (A–F and H-L). Keeping in view the importance of Wolbachia as emerging biocontrol agent to control many invasive insect pests, we are purposed a special issue to enlighten the prevalence, phylogeny and distribution patterns of novel-Wolbachia host interaction (mainly all invasive pest species).

Aims and Scope:

1. Date palm beetles (Hispine leaf beetle, hispid leaf beetle and red palm beetle)
2. Invasive species
3. Wolbachia pipientis
4. Microbial symbiosis
5. Bio-pesticides
6. Cotton Aphids