Wolbachia are intracellular bacterial endosymbionts found in most insect lineages. In mosquitoes, the influence of these endosymbionts on host reproduction and arboviral transmission has spurred numerous studies aimed at using Wolbachia infection as a vector control technique.

Can Wolbachia infect humans?

Wolbachia are safe for humans and the environment. Independent risk analyses indicate that the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes poses negligible risk to humans and the environment. Wolbachia live inside insect cells and are passed from one generation to the next through an insect's eggs.

Where is Wolbachia located within an arthropod Why?

Wolbachia pipientis is an intracellular bacteria found within the cytoplasm of a high proportion of arthropods. Widespread in insects, Wolbachia is also commonly found in other arthropod groups, including mites, spiders and terrestrial isopods.