Section: New Results

Influence of symbionts on antagonistic interactions

Symbionts are often key players in antagonistic interactions between their hosts and other organisms. In host-parasitoid interactions, both players can be infected by different symbionts. We investigated how a virus and Wolbachia, respectively infecting a parasitoid and a drosophila, can shape the host-parasitoid interaction. While only a limited effect Wolbachia has been detected, the virus protects the parasitoid from the immune response of Drosophila [20] . Protection conferred by symbionts to their insect hosts is a promising avenue for antivectorial programs, but requires a thorough analysis of the evolutionary consequences of protection. We reviewed the literature on this topic [28] .