Cardinium and Wolbachia co-infection of haplodiploid Pezothrips kellyanus induces cytoplasmic incompatibility, male development and embryonic mortality and post-embryonic mortality

Data describes multiple crossing experiments involving Pezothrips kellyanus laboratory colonies that are infected with with Cardinium (Ic), infected with both Cardinium and Wolbachia (Icw), or uninfected by either endosymbiotic bacteria (U). Pezothrips exhibit haplodiploid reproduction and the fecundity and reproductive effects of the endosymbiont complement in various mating combinations, as well as in virgin females, was measured to determine the reproductive outcomes. This data demonstrates the stability of co-infection, the high titre of Wolbachia infection relative to Cardinium in each co-infected individual, and the apparent lack of competition between these bacteria within hosts. Maternal transmission to offspring was complete for Wolbachia and high for Cardinium. Cardinium-induced CI resulted in a combination of male development (MD) and embryonic female mortality of fertilised eggs, and Wolbachia-induced CI resulted in female mortality together with post-embryonic mortality.