Exploration and phylogenetic characterisation of <i>Wolbachia</i> in the peach fruit fly <i>Bactrocera zonata</i> (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

<i>Bactrocera zonata</i> (Saunders) is a significant pest for tropical and subtropical fruits and vegetables and has a detrimental impact on the global economy. Subsequent samples were successfully identified using the cytochrome c oxidase I (<i>COI</i>) gene. <i>Wolbachia</i> are naturally occurring endosymbiotic bacteria found in the reproductive tissues of arthropods. The prevalence of endosymbiont <i>Wolbachia</i> and the diversity of its strains in populations of <i>B. zonata</i> were explored. The screening of 422 samples revealed (29–40) positive samples for <i>Wolbachia</i> infection through <i>16S rRNA</i>, <i>wsp</i>, and MLST genes. Phylogenetic analysis using neighbour-joining (NJ) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods exhibited that the identified <i>Wolbachia</i> strains were clustered with those belonging to supergroup A. The newly identified strain of <i>Wolbachia</i>, named <i>w</i>Bzon, differs from previously published sequences of <i>B. zonata</i>, indicating its potential for the incompatible insect technique (IIT). This discovery offers an eco-friendly method for managing <i>B. zonata</i> populations and highlights the importance of <i>Wolbachia</i> in these populations.