Previously I had asked a question "Are "sex pheromones" really produced by insects?" while in the quest to answer this question, we came across a very interesting observation. We developed germ free lines of insects (GFL) by antibiotic treatment, the GFLs did not lay eggs at all. When we desiccated the insect we found its ovary underdeveloped. However, the non-GFL insects that were not treated with antibiotics laid eggs. What are the possibilities of endosymbionts being involved in the ovary development?
Dear Dr. Kempraj, Yes. I know some insects belonging to the family of Pseudococcidae (Hemiptera, Coccoidea) where endosymbionts are transmitted into ovaries, to eggs before laying them. I do not know any other examples among insects. But you must consult other Entomologists over the world. Sincerely yours. André Panis (Scientist Associated at French National Research Institute for Agriculture).
Dear Dr. Panis,
Thank you for your answer. I will try to consult some entomologists.
Regards
Vivek
if you consider Wolbachia as an endosymbiont this might be one candidate as it interferes with sexual differentiation of several insect species and infects ovaries. But not sure about how it works, i.e. if it really influences ovary development or uses other mechanisms.
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