Frontiers in Wolbachia Biology 2023

Wolbachia is likely the most successful endosymbiotic bacteria associated with insects and other arthropods, as well as nematodes. Over the past several decades, its widespread presence across the vast range of arthropod in the terrestrial ecosystem, as well as its various biological attributes, have caused an explosive development in Wolbachia research. These include the induction of striking reproductive phenotypes, namely cytoplasmic incompatibility, male-killing, parthenogenesis induction, and feminization; obligatory and conditional beneficial fitness consequences such as nutrient provisioning and resistance to parasites, pathogens and viruses; essentiality for host growth, development and survival; and others. The biology of Wolbachia is not only a captivating area of basic research that covers host-microbe interactions ranging from cell-biology and physiology to ecology and evolution, but it is also an important applied research field that contributes to Wolbachia-mediated control of vector-borne infectious diseases and pests, and Wolbachia-targeted prevention and remedy of filariasis.

Here we propose the Research Topic “Frontiers in Wolbachia Biology 2023” to provide a forum to compile and overview the exciting achievements recently emerging in this research field. Any scientifically sound, solid and competent submissions of high quality on Wolbachia biology are very welcome, including:

• Reproductive manipulation
• Wolbachia cell biology
• Pests and disease control
• Multitrophic interactions
• Wolbachia in nematodes
• Ecology and Evolution
• Others

After several years of extension due to the COVID pandemic, the 11th Wolbachia Conference is held in June 2023 (https://www.wolbachia2023.com/). The scientific committee members of the Wolbachia Conference join the Research Topic as editors. Therefore, it is guaranteed that the papers submitted to the Research Topic will be handled by the leading experts in the field of Wolbachia biology.

Notes:
• Submission to the Research Topic is not restricted to participants of the Wolbachia Conference but open to everybody, as long as the manuscript constitutes a scientifically solid and high-quality contribution to the field of Wolbachia biology.
• Papers on symbiotic microorganisms other than Wolbachia will be regarded as out of scope and not considered for the Research Topic, unless the contents of the papers are presented at the Wolbachia Conference.

Keywords: Reproductive manipulation, Wolbachia cell biology, Pests and disease control, Multitrophic interactions, Wolbachia in nematodes, Ecology and Evolution

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.