Wolbachia Interactions with Diverse Insect Hosts: From Reproductive Modulations to Sustainable Pest Management Strategies

Simple Summary: The usefulness of Wolbachia-based control methods for several insect orders is investigated in this synthesis, with a particular emphasis on sterile insect technique (SIT) and incompatible insect technique (IIT). Strong control tactics and financing are required, as demonstrated by the integration of SIT into the management of Drosophila suzukii and the evaluation of a new SIT/IIT combination against Aedes mosquitoes. The potential of Wolbachia includes biological vector control in agriculture, particularly defence against pests that affect rice. Examining host-shifting dynamics and phenotypic impacts, especially in scale insects, highlights the ecological connectivity that is essential to comprehending the complexity of Wolbachia. The summary discusses the worldwide distribution of Wolbachia, focusing on genetics, medicinal uses, and mutualistic and parasitic adaptations. With developments in gene functional assays and multiomics, Wolbachia research is changing and becoming a paradigm for microbial symbiosis, with profound effects on education and translational research. Effective in a variety of insect orders, including dipteran, lepidopteran, and hemipteran, Wolbachia-based control tactics are investigated, noting the importance of sterile and incompatible insect techniques. Encouraging approaches for controlling Aedes mosquitoes are necessary, as demonstrated by the evaluation of a new SIT/IIT combination and the incorporation of SIT into Drosophila suzukii management. For example, Wolbachia may protect plants from rice pests, demonstrating its potential for agricultural biological vector management. Maternal transmission and cytoplasmic incompatibility dynamics are explored, while Wolbachia phenotypic impacts on mosquito and rice pest management are examined. The importance of host evolutionary distance is emphasised in recent scale insect research that addresses host-shifting. Using greater information, a suggested method for comprehending Wolbachia host variations in various contexts emphasises ecological connectivity. Endosymbionts passed on maternally in nematodes and arthropods, Wolbachia are widely distributed around the world and have evolved both mutualistic and parasitic traits. Wolbachia is positioned as a paradigm for microbial symbiosis due to advancements in multiomics, gene functional assays, and its effect on human health. The challenges and opportunities facing Wolbachia research include scale issues, ecological implications, ethical conundrums, and the possibility of customising strains through genetic engineering. It is thought that cooperative efforts are required to include Wolbachia-based therapies into pest management techniques while ensuring responsible and sustainable ways.