Wolbachia: A Bug's Life in another Bug

Wolbachia are Gram-negative bacteria that form intracellular inherited infections in many invertebrates. They are extremely common, with 20-75% of all insects being infected. Moreover, they infect numerous noninsect invertebrates including nematodes, mites and spiders. Approximately 120 million people are infected by filarial nematode parasites worldwide. Transmitted to humans through mosquitoes and black flies, the majority of the disease-causing nematodes are hosts to the Wolbachia bacteria. T