Das Projekt "Der Endosymbiont Wolbachia in Nutzinsekten, die in Gewaechshaeusern angewendet werden: das Potenzial fuer die Zucht von Antagonisten" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Institut für Forstentomologie, Forstpathologie und Forstschutz durchgeführt. Wolbachia is found in about 16 percent of all insect species and can induce both parthenogenesis and cytoplasmic incompatibility in its hosts. It can also be identified quickly and accurately using a polymerase chain reaction test. Those Wolbachia that induce parthenogenesis can be used to improve parasitisation and fertility rates in beneficial insect breeding programmes (thereby lowering costs). The aim of this project is to identify the presence or absence of Wolbachia in various beneficial insect species. The main focus is on the Hymenoptera (chalcid and parasitic wasps), Coleoptera (ladybirds), Acarina (predatory mites) and Nematoda. Wolbachia has been found in members of all these insect orders and has already been used to improve breeding conditions for selected hymenopteran species (e.g. Trichogramma sp.).